A Little-Known Italian City Called 'Door To Tuscany' Is A Medieval Gem Without Tourist Crowds

Visitors flock from around the world to enjoy the many delights that Tuscany has to offer. From its gorgeous green hills to its stunning vineyards flowing with wine, this beautiful region of Italy is a paradise for the senses. Many who head to Tuscany visit the popular must-visit spots such as Florence, Siena, or Pisa — but the area has so much more to offer than these more crowded tourist destinations. Described as one of Tuscany's best-kept secrets, the stunning town of Pontremoli is set in the mountainous Lunigiana region and is a fabulous place to experience the pieces that make Italy so unique. 

Serving as a "bridge" for travelers coming from northern areas such as Parma, Milan, and Genoa, the Tuscan town of Pontremoli was dubbed the "key and door" of Tuscany by King Frederick II, and as the "entrance to the mountains" by Charles VIII. This beautiful town also sits on the famous pilgrimage route Via Francigena — the medieval ancient route connecting Canterbury, England, to Rome. The town is a medieval marvel — stunning visitors with its mixture of nature, architecture, history, mystery, and culinary delights. Speaking of culinary delights — Pontremoli is also said to be the "birthplace" of pasta. Testaroli is a type of flat pasta typically served with pesto where production originated in the Lunigiana region. It's a type of pasta (though many argue it's a bread) that was first enjoyed by the ancient Etruscan civilization, dating as far back as 900 B.C. Spending a day in Pontremoli is like stepping back in time. With its cobblestoned streets leading the way to a beautiful cathedral, inviting plazas, delicious eateries, and a stunning castle, Pontremoli is a great jumping-off point for exploring the history of the Lunigiana region, as well as other beautiful cities in and around the Tuscan region.

The Piagnaro Castle, built around the year 1000, sits atop a hill overlooking the village and was once a very important piece of the defense of the town. Today, there is a courtyard at the castle where you can explore the ancient history while admiring the aerial views of Pontremoli and its surrounding valleys, mountains, and greenery. The castle is also home to the Museum of Lunigiana Stele Statues, which holds a mysterious collection of sandstone figurines of people who lived in this region between the 4th and 1st millennia B.C.  

Down in the center of town, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is another must-see attraction in Pontremoli. Designed in the 17th century by Alessandro Capra of Cremona, it was approved for construction with a decree by the Pontremoli General Council that it should be a "grand, noble temple large enough to accommodate as much of the people as possible" (via Visit Pontremoli). The cathedral building looks similar to a cross with a large dome in the center. The interior of the church is full of gold trimmings, beautiful frescos, gorgeous marble altars, and a treasured wooden statue of the 13th-century Madonna del Popolo. Pay a visit to the beautiful Teatro della Rosa, a building dating back to the end of the 17th century where people come now to see theatrical performances, films, and music. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, visitors can also pay a visit to Pontremoli's outdoor market in the Piazza della Repubblica and Piazza del Duomo — with stalls providing tastes of delicious delicacies from the Lunigiana region.

Speaking of delicious delicacies, although Pontremoli is on the smaller side, it has plenty of tasty eateries for visitors to choose from. Aside from the unique testaroli pasta, the region is also very popular for torta d'erbi (a savory pie made with thin dough and filled with herbs and vegetables), karsenta (a traditional bread known for its round, crunchy crust), gli amor (a sweet treat consisting of two square wafer cookies with a tasty cream filling), a spongata (a traditional dessert from Lunigiana consisting of two layers of dough filled with a mixture of honey, cocoa, dried and candied fruits, and spices), dishes with porcini mushrooms, and different varieties of honey (such as chestnut and acacia honey). To get a taste of some of the authentic dishes in the region, try Trattoria Norina, a quaint restaurant offering diners the chance to enjoy a unique menu (written only in Italian) that changes daily. After lunch, visit Caffè e Antica Pasticceria degli Svizzeri, a traditional cafè serving up many of the above-mentioned mouthwatering desserts. 

Luckily for visitors, Pontremoli is a lovely place to visit year-round. Springtime is a perfect time to visit for those who enjoy hiking, autumn brings the harvest, summer is prime for those who enjoy festivals (like Medievalis in August), and wintertime gives visitors a chance to experience a bonfire festival and a quieter time in the town. The closest major airport to Pontremoli is the Milan Malpensa Airport, which is about three hours away by car. However, there are smaller airports that are closer, including Pisa, Genoa, Parma, Florence (Amerigo Vespucci Airport), and Bologna — all about 90 minutes to 2 hours away. If you're looking to explore even more of the Tuscan region, listen to Rick Steves and rent a car for more travel freedom.