If you are a fan of small towns off the beaten tourist track, hidden gems and endless surprises, Tuscany is the perfect town for you. It is full of charming, little-known towns that are authentic, peaceful and exceptionally pretty. Just find a villa rental in Tuscany and begin discovering its endless charms for yourself!
One of these lovely little towns is Pontremoli, one of the main villages of Lunigiana, located at the bottom of Tosco Emiliano Apennines. In the lush and wild part of northern Tuscany, it is far from queues, tacky souvenirs and the regular itineraries. Boasting a stunning natural setting, pretty town, rich history and culinary tradition, and a slow pace of life, it is an excellent place to spend a day soaking up the atmosphere of daily life in a real Tuscan town.
One of these lovely little towns is Pontremoli, one of the main villages of Lunigiana, located at the bottom of Tosco Emiliano Apennines. In the lush and wild part of northern Tuscany, it is far from queues, tacky souvenirs and the regular itineraries. Boasting a stunning natural setting, pretty town, rich history and culinary tradition, and a slow pace of life, it is an excellent place to spend a day soaking up the atmosphere of daily life in a real Tuscan town.
The town has Roman origins and is said to have taken its name from the words “Pons Tremulus”, with “pons” referring to an ancient bridge that crossed the stream Verde and “tremulus” referring to an old name for poplar wood, the material used to build the bridge, or to the fact that the bridge might have trembled a little. One of the eighty stages of the Via Francigena pilgrimage route connecting Canterbury to Rome, it has been passed through by many over the centuries. It was also called “the key and the gate of the Apennines” by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II, due to its strategic position.
As a result of this rich history, the town still evidences the past in its appearance with medieval tower houses, cobbled streets, old walls and bridges, fortifications, and 17th century and 18th century mansions and churches dotted around the town. This historic visage has been well-preserved and wandering the picturesque town feels like stepping back in time.
There are also a lot of unique little traditions and attractions in the town. Historically, generations of itinerant booksellers went from the town to sell books throughout northern and many libraries in the country were opened by Pontremolesi families. Today there is a festival celebrating this tradition each summer and there is an award ceremony called the “Bancarella” that takes place in town, in which a jury of booksellers come from all over Italy and honour bestselling books. There is also a medieval festival celebrating the arrival of Emperor Frederick II in Pontremoli in 1226. A local market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays and there are several mineral springs in the surrounding mountains that make for excellent spots to visit and relax.
Of course, we can't forget the food! Pontremoli has a rich culinary tradition and local foods unique to the town include the creamy amor wafer cake, the spongata Christmas cake, torta d'erbe pie and testaroli, a flat baked pasta, often served with pesto. In addition, each October there is Mushroom and Chestnuts Festival.
With lots to see and do and such a pretty setting, Pontremoli is a wonderful part of Tuscany to visit for the more intrepid traveller looking for something a little different.
As a result of this rich history, the town still evidences the past in its appearance with medieval tower houses, cobbled streets, old walls and bridges, fortifications, and 17th century and 18th century mansions and churches dotted around the town. This historic visage has been well-preserved and wandering the picturesque town feels like stepping back in time.
There are also a lot of unique little traditions and attractions in the town. Historically, generations of itinerant booksellers went from the town to sell books throughout northern and many libraries in the country were opened by Pontremolesi families. Today there is a festival celebrating this tradition each summer and there is an award ceremony called the “Bancarella” that takes place in town, in which a jury of booksellers come from all over Italy and honour bestselling books. There is also a medieval festival celebrating the arrival of Emperor Frederick II in Pontremoli in 1226. A local market takes place on Wednesdays and Saturdays and there are several mineral springs in the surrounding mountains that make for excellent spots to visit and relax.
Of course, we can't forget the food! Pontremoli has a rich culinary tradition and local foods unique to the town include the creamy amor wafer cake, the spongata Christmas cake, torta d'erbe pie and testaroli, a flat baked pasta, often served with pesto. In addition, each October there is Mushroom and Chestnuts Festival.
With lots to see and do and such a pretty setting, Pontremoli is a wonderful part of Tuscany to visit for the more intrepid traveller looking for something a little different.
