The Apuane Alps, Versilia, the Gulf of Poets and Cinque Terre
The view enjoyed from Fosdinovo Castle displays a beautiful land of contrasts, including the Apuane Alps rising in the distance and an expanse of land extending all the way to the Ligurian Sea.
While visiting the castle, Gabriele D'Annunzio wrote (at the thought of Dante exile guest Malaspina of Fosdinovo) "Mi piace pensare che Dante, ospite del Malaspina, avesse la visione della Città di Dite guardando le Alpi Apuane affocate dal sole occiduo, vermiglie veramente come se di fuoco uscite fossero... infiammarsi e dominare la Val di Magra già somersa nell’ombra e nel silenzio".
From the patrol trenches at the top of the castle, the strench of visible horizon includes the long Tyrrhenian coast, the sinuous Magra river, the Gulf of La Spezia, Portovenere, the island Palmaria, the Cinque Terre and on special days, over the clear expanse of the sea, the Capraia island, the Gorgona island and distant mountains of Corsica.
The sea, in fact, is another major attraction of the area. The Tyrrhenian coast is extremley varied. The long and relaxing beaches of Versilia and a coastline dotted with villages was inspiration to artists like Shelley, Byron, Petrarca and Montale. The so-called “Gulf of Poets”. Tellaro on the east, San Terenzo, Portovenere with Fezzano, Le Grazie, the island Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto on the west. The larger town of La Spezia, has an excellent city museum. Leftover from the days of pirate attacks, are numerous fortifications, including the imposing castle of Lerici, near San Terenzo castle, the castle of St. George in La Spezia and the castle of Portovenere.
Further down the coast lies The Cinque Terre, which are five fishing villages famous throughout the world for their inestimable value and beauty. Perched in the cliffs along the coast, these tiny villages are a heritage of humanity, dizzy staircases, terraces, vines, colored houses, marinas, churches in the Genoa style and the remains of the fortifications of Doria and Fieschi family. All protected by the crashing sea below. Not be be missed is the spectacular hiking trail linking the five villages: Montrerosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore: the Cinque Terre. One of the most famous stretches of the path is the romantic Via dell'Amore (love sreet) located between Riomaggiore and Manarola.
