Holiday apartment in Gragnanella: hilltop village, crucifix and Lago di Pontecosi

Gragnanella is located in the Apuan Alps of the Garfagnana and belongs to the municipality of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. The old hilltop village, the parish church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo, Lago di Pontecosi and walks between several places give your travel planning different focal points. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Gragnanella, you can weigh culture, water, outdoor activities and local traditions according to your preferred mix for your holiday.

Hillside location and village structure

The old village of Gragnanella is situated on a hill and has the structure of a small fortress. Numerous entrances are restricted by arches and portals. Gragnanella once had a castle, which is now destroyed. It is precisely this combination of its hillside location, protected entrances and the history of the village’s past that makes a walk through the village a journey through different layers of time.

Church, crucifix and remembrance

At the centre stands the parish church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo, dedicated to Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. It contains a wooden crucifix from the 17th century. The crucifix is made of wild willow wood and was created during the Baroque period.

A memorial plaque on the church façade commemorates six men from Gragnanella who fell in the First World War. The plaque was installed on 17 August 1919. Thus, one place brings together both religious art and a tangible example of remembrance culture.

Lago di Pontecosi and the waterscape

The area of the Gragnanella hamlet extends to the shores of Lago di Pontecosi, which lies in the municipality of Pieve Fosciana. The lake is a hydroelectric reservoir created on the Serchio River and is used by overwintering waterfowl such as coots and various species of wild ducks. At Lago di Pontecosi there are picnic areas and fishing spots; on the opposite shore lies a large equipped green area. For your day planning, nature observation, a break by the water and fishing can be combined here as different interests.

Walks with different profiles

One circular route was approximately 10 km long, was considered easy and was suitable for everyone. On this walk, the route continued from Gragnanella along an old mule track to Pontecosi. A guided walk ran from the historic centre of Castelnuovo via Buggina and the Sentiero dell’Ariosto through Antisciana to Gragnanella.

Festivals and living local history

The Feast of the Most Holy Crucifix is celebrated in Gragnanella every ten years. The wooden crucifix kept in San Bartolomeo is moved and placed on a throne every ten years for the celebrations. The procession of the large crucifix dates back to a decision by the local community in 1985; during it, the crucifix was carried through the village in gratitude for having survived the dangers of the Second World War.

“Pizza in Piazza” is also a traditional event in Gragnanella. The local Circolo Anspi organises it to collect donations for Telethon. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can consider whether your focus is on village history and the church, the waters of Lago di Pontecosi, a hike or the special festivals.

More destinations

Other places you can consider for your travel planning include Casone, Colle and Castiglione Di Garfagnana.

To the overarching travel overview: Castelnuovo Di Garfagnana.