Hermitage of Calomini
The Hermitage of Calomini, a short walk from the farm, is nestled under a huge overhanging rock cliffs. The church was built hugging the side of the mountain, and more than half, the sacristy and most of the convent, remains excavated into the mountain, with only the use of a chisel. The top of this excavation ends in a very wide dome. Dating from the eleventh century, has been many interventions in the history of expansion especially in the 700, when the community of monks was built and expanded a lot the double colonnade, enlarged the cave to receive the sacristy of the church and placed on the floor completed every detail that would help make this place worthy of admiration of prayer. It seems that in a place where today the rocks give pure water, the image of the Virgin Mary who is venerated in a shrine, turned to a girl from Calomini. For this reason the shrine is dedicated to the Marian cult and has always been many pilgrimages.
The hermitage of Calomini is located along the road to the village of Vergemoli, above the village of Gallicano.
Grotta del Vento
Accessible by a quarter of an hour's drive from the farm, and located in the Apuan Alps is the Wind Cave Situated in the centre of the Apuan Alps' Natural Park, this is one of the most complete European caves, presenting an extraordinary variety of phenomena which are outlined with competence and precision by expert speleological guides. Following illuminated and easy-going trails, we can admire the many wonders of the underground world: from shining stalactites and stalagmites to polychrome flowstone, alabaster draperies, crystal-brimmed lakes, underground water-courses and bizarre forms of erosion. There are three itineraries: the "first" (one hour) proceeds horizontally and is characterized throughout by splendid calcareous formations; the "second" (two hours), which also includes the first, visits a small underground river and its charmingly vast environment; the "third" (three hours) consents a complete visit of the cave and easily follows several perfectly vertical tracts.
The cave is located Fornovolasco (Vergemoli) and is open to the public every day of the year (excluding Christmas). The internal temperature is about 11 ° C and are necessary for visiting winter coat and suitable clothing.
Apuan Alps and Monte Forato
The Apuane Alps are one of the most special and original mountain areas of the Italian peninsula, for the richness of the environments and landscapes that include. Their particular geological structure (metamorphic rocks with almost pure stone, such as marble), the unique geographical position and the presence of man to the highest altitudes have resulted in a set of elements of biodiversity and landscapes that make it the paradise of botanists, the cavers, hikers and mountain climbing. Protected by more than twenty years from a regional park, the Alps are accompanied by an extensive network of trails maintained by the Italian Alpine Club (CAI), now included in the network of footpaths Tuscany (RET) that allow stepper admire them in all their suggestive beauty.
One of the most charming and details of the Alps and the Holed Mountain, a natural arch of rock eroded by the time. Is a place for a breathtaking view of the Tyrrhenian coast. The trail starts from Fornovolasco (Vergemoli) is only a fifteen minute drive from our farm.
Lucca and it's walls
Reached in about an hour's drive from the farm, Lucca welcomes you with its charming Renaissance city walls on which you can walk around the green or you can visit the churches, the museums with many art and historical documents, the typical squares and towers that tell us of times past.
The sixteenth-century walls of Lucca is the only example of defensive architecture still intact and contain a historic monument of rare beauty to be discovered step by step along the narrow streets that open in to the anfiteatro square that was founded on the ruins of the Amphitheatre Roman. Or Piazza San Martino, where you can see in the magnificent cathedral the Holy Face.