Follo: Historic Routes and Churches

Follo can be explored through its connections to history and nature, including churches and a memorial, historic routes, a riverside path and municipal green spaces. Piano di Follo is an important place name in this context. When planning your trip, consider whether religious history and historic routes, or green spaces and the riverside path, will shape your stay. This thematic overview can also help you tailor your search for a hotel in Follo to your travel plans.

Churches and memorial sites

The Chiesa di San Martino in Piano di Follo is considered the oldest church in the municipality of Follo. The Chiesa di S. Martino di Durasca dates from the 12th to 13th century. Both names point to the area’s religious history, which can also be explored via historic routes.

A memorial commemorates those who fell in the First World War. It stands at the intersection of Viale della Rimembranza and Via 1° Maggio. Alongside the history of the churches, it offers another perspective on the past: the church is connected with a long religious and historical tradition, while the memorial commemorates those who fell in the First World War.

Historic routes and riverside path

Around the year 1000, the ancient Via di San Martino ran from Piano di Follo to Montalbano through the Val Durasca. Another historic route is the Via Francigena: its local course in the Follo area linked the port of Luni with Caprigliola, Aulla and Pontremoli, passing through Ceparana and Piano di Follo. The Chiesa di San Martino in Piano di Follo served as a stopping point for travellers on this historic route.

The two route descriptions differ in scope. The Via di San Martino focuses on the connection between Piano di Follo and Montalbano and its course through the Val Durasca. The Via Francigena, by contrast, links several places and passes through the Follo area. The two route descriptions differ in scope. The Via di San Martino focuses on the connection between Piano di Follo and Montalbano and its course through the Val Durasca. The Via Francigena, by contrast, links several places and passes through the Follo area.

A riverside path in the Parco Naturale Regionale di Montemarcello-Magra-Vara runs between Piana Battolla and Piano di Follo. The connection between these two places is the path’s defining feature; it differs in character from the historic routes. If you plan to take the riverside path, it is advisable to check its condition beforehand.

Green spaces and places to stay

Piano di Follo has a municipal green space equipped as a park and play area for young people. The municipal green spaces in Piano di Follo and Piana Battolla also have a pista di pattinaggio. These facilities complement the historic themes with a different focus: spending time in municipal green spaces and enjoying outdoor activities.

When choosing accommodation for your trip, you can use these differences to narrow your search: are you mainly interested in churches and historic routes, or would you also like to include green spaces in your travel plans?

Discover more destinations: Vernazza, Carro, Monterosso Al Mare, Castelnuovo Magra, Cembrano, Pegui, Riomaggiore, Sorbolo.

For the broader travel overview: La Spezia.