The Tuscan-Emilian Apennines are a part of the Northern Apennines chain which goes through the whole Italian peninsula. The chain takes its name from Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, the regions where it is located.
Starting at Cisa Pass, the mountain chains turn further to the southeast to cross the peninsula along the border between the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions. They extend to the upper Tiber River. The high point is Monte Cimone, 2,165 m high (7,103 ft).
The main mountains of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines are:
- Monte Cimone - 2.177 m
- Monte Cusna - 2.121 m
- Monte Prado - 2.054 m
- Alpe di Succiso - 2.017 m
- Monte Giovo - 1.991 m
- Monte Casarola - 1.978 m
- Monte Rondinaio -1.964 m
- Monte Lagoni - 1.962 m
- Corno alle Scale - 1.945 m
- Alpe Tre Potenze - 1.940 m
- Libro Aperto - 1.937 m
- Monte Alto - 1.904 m
- Monte La Nuda - 1.895 m
- Monte Gomito - 1.892 m
- Punta Buftanaro - 1.878 m
- Monte Sillara - 1.861 m
- Cima dell'Omo - 1.859 m
- Monte Cavalbianco - 1.855 m
- Monte Cupolino - 1.852 m
- Monte Marmagna - 1.852 m
- Monte Losanna - 1.840 m
- Monte Matto - 1.837 m
- Monte Bragalata - 1.835 m
- Monte Orsaro - 1.831 m
- Monte Spigolino - 1.827 m
- Monte La Nuda - 1.827 m
- Monte Braiola - 1.821 m
- Monte Paitino - 1.815 m
- Cima Belfiore - 1.810 m
- Monte Gennaio - 1.810 m
- Monte Brusa - 1.796 m
- Monte Bocco - 1.791 m
- Monte Aquila - 1.780 m
- Monte Nuda - 1.775 m
- Monte Giovarello - 1.760 m
- Balzo delle Rose - 1.739 m
- Monte Ventasso - 1.727 m
- Bocchetta dell'Orsaro - 1.724 m
- Monte Malpasso - 1.716 m
- Monte Fosco - 1.683 m
- Pedata del Diavolo - 1.665 m
- Tecchio dei Merli - 1.644 m
- Alpesigola - 1.642 m
- Monte Modino - 1.557 m
- Sasso Tignoso - 1.492 m
- Monte Borgognone - 1.401 m
- Monte Pidocchina - 1.296 m
- Croce delle Lari - 1.200 m
- Monte Verruca - 820 m
- Monte Pero - 760 m
Tuscan Valleys and Rivers
The valleys which go down towards the South are wide and very fertile. We find:
- the Lunigiana, which takes its name from the ancient maritime city of Luni (today an archeological site) and it is crossed by the Magra river;
- the Garfagnana, at the bottom of which the Serchio river flows between the Alpi Apuane and the Cimone Mountain;
- la Montagna Pistoiese, which includes the towns of Abetone, Cutigliano, Marliana, Piteglio, Sambuca Pistoiese, San Marcello Pistoiese, Pescia, Montale and Pistoia.
- Val di Bisenzio
- Val di Nievole
Main Sights
The beautiful landscape of Tuscan Apennines is enriched by a vast cultural heritage, such as archaeological sites which brought to light finds dating back to the Prehistory. The ancient populations lived in ancient villages placed on sloped full of woods, built water mills, castles, tower houses, churches where hey used to gather and pray. Today, much of this cultural heritage remains intact and well-preserved, and visitors will have the chance also to visit many museums and botanical gardens.
Here are some of the many noteworthy villages in the Tuscan Apennines: Apella, Cerreto Alpi, Cervarezza, La Loggia, le Vaglie, Novellano, Pietradura, Ponticello, Sassorosso, Soliera, Tavernelle, Vallisnera.
PLACES TO VISIT
Wonderful Castles: Castello della Bastia (Licciana Nardi, Massa), Castello della Verrucola (Fivizzano, Massa), Castello di Comano, Castello di Terrarossa, Castello Malaspina in Filattiera and many more.
Beautiful Churches: Chiesa dei Santi Jacopo e Antonio in Fivizzano, Chiesa dei Santi Sisto e Margherita in Villa Collemandina (Lucca), Pieve di San Giorgio in Filattiera and many others.
Interesting Museums: Ecomuseo della Montagna Lunigianese and Museo della Stampa in Fivizzano, Museo della Civiltà Contadina di San Bartolomeo in Villa Minozzo (Reggio Emilia) and many more.