Valleriana (between 100 and 800 metres above sea level) is a really fascinating and peculiar place located on the Apennines north of the town of Pescia. Here, there are plenty of olive, chestnut (once at the core of the local agricultural economy), oaks and locust trees.
In the woods there are 10 medieval hamlets, known as "castella": Pietrabuona, Medicina, Fibbialla, Aramo, Sorana, San Quirico, Castelvecchio, Stiappa, Pontito and Vellano.
Built between the end of the IX century and the beginning of the X century along an ancient route between Val di Lima and Val di Nievole, the hamlets were made of a local stone, pietra serena, for which this area used to be well-known: a wonderful, sober, ductile and metallic-coloured material.
The 10 hamlets are all surrounded by fortified walls, some of which are well-preserved and their medieval origins are easily identifiable. They are linked to one another both by a paved road and trekking routes.
The typical products of the area are Sorana beans, mushrooms, oil, chestnuts and honey. This area is also famous for the livestock of "cinta senese", a first-rate Italian meat (pork).
Sheep livestock is still practised in the area as well as the production of pecorino.
During the year, there are several food fairs and country festivals where it is possible to taste traditional receipts made with typical products. For instance, we may recall the festivals dedicated to necci (neccio is a chestnut crêpe rolled around ricotta cheese), boar meat, becuttino (becuttino is a rice fritter), beans but also medieval dinners.

Pietrabuona is the first village that we encounter when leaving Pescia; indeed, it is the natural gateway of Valleriana. Because of its strategic position, in the Middle Ages, several battles between Lucca and Florence took place in Pietrabuona. Its name literally means "good stone" and it is due to its now abandoned quarries of pietra serena. The village walls are still visible in part, as well as the citadel and one of the entrance doors.
In the part of the village called Bicciuccolo, is a square where the main church is located. In the lowest part of the hamlet is the Centre of documentation on papermaking, while in the nearby old paper mill, "Le Carte", you may take a look at the old equipment and other materials used for papermaking, the majority of which dates back to the XVIII century. These equipment and materials are a valuable witnesses of this century-old and prestigious activity, developed starting from the XV century along the Pescia river, where today there are some firms still operative in this sector.

Not to miss: Saint Lorenzo Church, Museum of the papermaking, Piazza della Croce, Piazza di Castello, Saints Matteo and Colombano church

Medicina was once a military outpost. Indeed, historians believe that Saints Sisto and Martino parish church's bell tower, located at the top of the village, used to be a stone watchtower in the Middle Ages. A few ruins of the village walls, the semi-circular defensive towers and the ancient gateway are the only remains of fierce battles between Lucca and Florence.
Medicina, still today surrounded by chestnut woods and olive groves, is characterised by the presence of the so called "terrazzo-aie", open spaces where people used to dry agricultural products.
The view from the castle is breathtaking since it stands on a wooden hilltop in a scenic location.

Not to miss: Saints Sisto and Martino church, Piazza S. Martino

Fibbialla is located in a scenic position, overlooking Pescia river's valley. It is one of the best-preserved villages in Svizzera Pesciatina, due to the radical depopulation of the last decades. Small rapacious birds, such as buzzards and kestrel, often cross the sky over Fibbialla.
Take the time to visit Saint Michele church; inside, it is possible to admire a fifteenth-century sculpture representing Our Lady of the Annunciation.

Not to miss: Saint Michele church and Saint Michele square.

Aramo, on top of a steep hill overlooking Val di Torbola, once harshly contended between Lucca and Florence, is still extremely suggestive due to its position and structure.
Take time to visit Saint Frediano church and the Oratory dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, located right out of the village. The church dedicated to Saint Frediano hosts a few noteworthy XVI-XVII century sacred vessels and vestments.
The village is surrounded by chestnut woods and old facilities that were once used for the economic activities of the area: spaces for the charcoal pits, triangular-shaped huts for tools and, last but not least, the so-called metati, typical small houses made of stone where fruits were dried and later used to preserve chestnut flour with which still today typical dishes are made, such as necci, frittelle, polenta dolce, castagnaccio..etc

Not to miss: Virgin Mary church, Saint Frediano church, Saint Frediano square

The village, laid down on the slope of Monte Petritulo, gets its name from the fortress that used to be called "sovrana" (sovereign) due to its strategic position.
In the main square, take time to visit the church dedicated to Saints Paolo and Frediano, built in pietra serena and whose façade is decorated with a fifteenth- century fresco.
Today, Sorana is famous for the limited production of a particular kind of bean, with a really thin peel and a delicate flavour that has earned it the IGP label.

Not to miss: Saints Pietro and Paolo church, Saint Pietro square
Restaurants where you can taste Sorana beans: "Da Sandrino" and "Da Carla"

The old castle, located on the slopes of Monte Battifolle, at 672 meters height, has marked for centuries the border between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Lucca. The untouched urban structure reveals the medieval origins of the hamlet. You should take time to visit Saint Maria Assunta church, with its Romanesque structure and its dominating position. It hosts a painting dating back to the middle of the XVII century and representing the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Through a trekking route called Via dei Mulini (literally mill road), you can reach Mulino del Fontaione.

Not to miss: Saint Maria Assunta church - Piazza Grande

San Quirico is located on the eastern slope of Monte Battifolle which offers a view of the surrounding valleys, thus making the village a strategic location. Historians believe that San Quirico dates back to the first half of the XIII century.
In the upper part of the village is the main square with a lovely stone-fountain, while the church dedicated to Saints Quirico and Giuditta is located in the lower part. The church still preserves traces of Romanesque architecture and inside, it hosts a rare work of art: an hexagonal-shaped baptismal font, made of pietra serena, probably dating back to 1000. Take time to walk along the picturesque meandering lanes, past lovely bowers and shelters. Along the narrow alleys, there are a lot of small oratories where the local religious brotherhood used to work and animate the religious life of the castle. Furthermore, a lizard-shaped coat of arms is still visible on a wall located in the part of the village known as Orticino. This coat of arms was the symbol of bronze craftsmen and was reproduced in every bronze craft foundry of the village, once famous for bells manufacturing.

Not to miss: Saints Quirico and Giuditta church - Garibaldi square

Castelvecchio is 430 meters above sea level. From Castelvecchio, you may reach Monte Battifolle (1109 metres) by foot; on its summit, notice the ruins of the ancient castle that used to be the defensive citadel of the Duchy of Lucca.
Take time to visit the beautiful parish church dedicated to the Saints Battista and Tommaso, dating back to the XII century. It still preserves the features of Lombard architecture and it was meant to host the pilgrims that came from Via Francigena. Entirely built with pietra serena, it has a three-naves plan with three apses and the lower part of its façade is decorated with blind arches and semi-columns. The tower bell is not attached to the church, is 13 meters tall and has mullioned windows.

Not to miss: Saints Giovanni Battista and Tommaso parish church, Saint Giovanni Battista church, Garibaldi square, Restoration of the frescoes belonging to the cycle of paintings of the "Blessed rosary oratory".

Situated near the spring of Pescia river, Pontito is a real jewel. Its castle dates back to the IX century and the village still preserves its unaltered plant of the medieval fortified walls and develops in a pyramidal shape with Saints Andrea and Lucia church on top. The church is a Romanesque stone building. Inside, the baptismal font in sculptured marble (XV century), the high altar in polychrome marble and an ancient organ stand out among the precious sacred vessels and vestments.
Pontito is the birthplace of the scholar and historian Lazzaro Papi, who travelled to the East Indies with the British Navy and became famous for providing the first Italian translation of Milton's Lost Paradise.

Not to miss: Saints Andrea and Lucia church, Lazzaro Papi square.

Located 600 meters above sea level and considered as Valleriana's county town, Vellano preserves more or less its original structure. It is possible to enter the village through three ancient gates: Porta Bacese, Porta Calda and Porta Borghigiana, the best-preserved one. Narrow lanes lead you to the main square, characterized by numerous fountains and the former civic tower or to the ancient church dedicated to Saint Michele. Outside the ancient walls, unusually placed in the lower part of the village, is the beautiful parish church dedicated to Saints Sisto and Martino. Visit the interior, there is a fascinating crypt and noteworthy artworks. The usage of pietra serena characterises the whole village; indeed, highly recommended is a visit to the historical museum of the miner and quarryman which exhibits tools and a rich collection of minerals.

Not to miss:
Saints Sisto and Martino church, Piazza della Resistenza, Historical museum of the miner and quarryman.