Castelnuovo Magra

"Where is it?
It is in the Municipality of Val di Magra, and it extends along the valley of the river Bettigna, not far from Sarzana and the mouth of the river Magra.
Why visit it?
The town of Castelnuovo Magra, which has earned a Touring ""orange flag"" for its tourist environment, was founded in the 11th century as a fortress and residence of the bishops of Luni. The historic centre, located in the hills at the foot of the Apuan Alps, bears witness to all the historical and artistic periods, from the medieval villages to the 18th century buildings. The village is dominated by the ""Turris Magna,"" a crenellated tower and the remains of the Bishop's Palace. From here, there is a wonderful view over the low Magra valley to the Tyrrhenian coast (Marina di Carrara and Versilia). The rolling hills that surround it are planted with olive trees and grapevines, so after a walk in the countryside you can dine in one of the many local restaurants (offering a cuisine based on simple yet delicious dishes which reflect the tradition of ancient Lunigiana). You can also visit the wine shops in Liguria and Lunigiana, guardians of the ancient art of wine making (for information visit www.enotecapubblica.it). Castelnuovo Magra is one of the four municipalities of the Province of La Spezia, where you can find Via Francigena, the route described by Sigeric (info: www.viafrancigena.eu)."