The ancient Via Francigena in the Middle Ages joined Canterbury to Rome and to the ports of the Puglia region to reach Jerusalem.
On its italian way it reached Tuscany passing the Apennine watershed from the current pass of Cisa (or Via Monte Bardone, ancient Mons Longobardorum) and went down to the sea following the course of the Magra river .
.jpg)
The Magra Valley has kept unchanged its beauties, castles, Romanesque churches, walled towns still fascinating. Throughout the Valley, exhibits beautiful landscapes with green forests and streams with clear waters it is dotted with medieval villages like Lerici and Portovenere and is marked by unparalleled vineyards overlooking the sea of the Cinque Terre.
The first stage of the Via Francigena Tuscan revived by Recommended itinerary is 19.4 km long and takes about 5 hours, going from 1,100 meters of the Passo della Cisa to 400 meters above sea level of Groppoli. it follow pathscrossing restful forest landscapes until you reach Pontremoli, the town built between two rivers is characterized by the large number of bridges.
The main street of Pontremoli is lined with medieval buildings and churches, including in the church of St. Peter, where it still retains the "labyrinth", symbol of the pilgrimages to the Holy Land.