Discover Arcola

Arcola offers several ways to shape your stay: the medieval Torre pentagonale Obertenga, churches with diverse architectural and artistic histories, as well as the Oasi Arcola and two named walking trails. You can plan your trip around cultural heritage, nature, or a combination of both. The sites range from Romanesque and Gothic forms to a protected natural area.

Torre Obertenga and MAP

The Torre pentagonale Obertenga was built in the 11th century by the Obertenghi family. Its architecture combines Romanesque-Byzantine forms with Pisan elements; it is also designated a national monument. The different designations offer a specific point of reference for understanding the tower’s history. Those interested in historic architecture will find a distinctive part of Arcola’s cultural heritage here.

In June 2023, the Torre Obertenga became the site of the MAP Museo Arti e Paesaggi. This also links the tower’s architectural history with the history of a museum site. A booking form is available for visits to MAP. Visiting hours are listed as Monday to Friday, in the morning between 9 a.m. and 12 noon. Before your visit, check whether a reservation and this time slot apply to your appointment.

Churches and Art in Arcola

The Pieve dei Santi Stefano e Margherita is a two-aisled church with Gothic columns and arches. Its clearly defined architectural features distinguish it from the other churches and oratories, whose histories span several centuries. Two periods of history come together at the Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo: it was built in the 16th century over an older Romanesque structure, and it houses a tempera crucifix on wood dated to 1456. The building and the artwork thus point to different historical periods.

The hamlets of Cerri and Ville-Monti also preserve their own sites from this history. The Chiesa di Sant’Anna in Cerri has three paintings by the Genoese school, dating from the 17th and 19th centuries. The Oratorio di Nostra Signora della Neve was built in Ville-Monti in the second half of the 16th century. At the Santuario di Nostra Signora degli Angeli, tradition forms part of the site’s context: it was built where, according to tradition, an apparition of the Virgin Mary is said to have occurred on 21 May 1556. Presenting this as tradition preserves the distinction between a historical date and a religious narrative.

Oasi Arcola and Walking Trails

The Oasi Arcola is a 34-hectare protected natural area in the municipality of Arcola, in the province of La Spezia. It is part of the SIC IT1343502 Parco della Magra – Vara protected area. The Oasi is managed by the Lega Italiana Protezione Uccelli (LIPU) under an agreement with the Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Park and the Municipality of Arcola. Its size, protected status, and management describe the natural area from different perspectives.

When choosing a route, you can distinguish between the two listed trails by the places they pass through. Sentiero 401 runs from Trebiano through Ressora to Arcola and is called Via delle Pievi. Sentiero 403 connects Ponte di Arcola, the Pieve di Baccano, and the junction with the AVG. The first trail focuses on the sequence of places Trebiano, Ressora, and Arcola; for the second, the named points of reference are the connection to the Pieve di Baccano and the junction with the AVG. Check current trail conditions before setting out, as they may change.

When choosing a hotel in Arcola, consider whether you want to focus your stay mainly on architectural and art history, the natural area, or a combination that includes the listed trails. The historic sites span different periods and hamlets, while the Oasi and routes offer another way to explore the municipality. This lets you connect your accommodation search with the themes that are genuinely most important to your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Carro, Falcinello, Fiascherino, Piano di Follo, Isola, Vezzano Ligure, Mattarana, Lavaggiorosso.

For the main travel overview: La Spezia.