Translating as “Trembling Bridge”, Pontremoli is a small Tuscan city in the upper valley of the Magra River. It has been settled since around 1000 BC and was known by the Romans as “Apua” after the powerful Ligurian tribe. Pontremoli has been under French, Spanish and Genoese rule throughout its history before becoming part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in 1650.
Things to do in Pontremoli
Dominating the city skyline is the dome of Pontremoli Cathedral, which was constructed in the 17th century on the designs of Alessandro Capra. Marvel at its Neo-Renaissance facade before stepping inside to see the Madonna del Popolo and the frescoed interior painted by Francesco Natali. Also of note is the Church of San Nicolo with its centuries-old wooden cross and the beautifully painted Church of Santa Cristina.
Overlooking Pontremoli is the Castello del Piagnaro, which was built around 1000 AD, where the Via di Monte Bardone ascends to the Cisa Pass. In addition to its military use, it has functioned as a police station and an elementary school throughout its history. From the castle walls, there are magnificent views across the city and the Magra River.
Since 1975, the castle has been home to the Museum of the Lunigiana Stele Statues, which documents the ancient cultures of the region. It preserves a number of Bronze Age stone sculptures representing human figures that were carved from locally sourced sandstone. Also within the museum are exhibits documenting life in Europe during the megalithic era.
Getting around Pontremoli
Pontremoli is around 30 minutes’ drive from La Spezia and 1.5 hours from Pisa International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. Regular trains connect to the Pontremoli railway station and the city centre is compact enough to explore on foot.