San Concordio di Moriano: Hiking Trails and Church History

San Concordio di Moriano brings together two tangible highlights: hiking trails to Montecatino and the architectural history of its church. The routes specify starting points, surfaces, landscapes, and destinations; the church’s history adds a chronological perspective.

Hiking Trails to Montecatino

A 2019 hiking program by Club Alpino Italiano Barga describes a route along Via Maulina to the church of San Concordio di Moriano. From there, the trail climbs first along a paved road, then along an unpaved road, and finally on a path to Torre di Montecatino at 483 meters. The changing surfaces and clearly identified elevation destination give this route its distinctive character. Before setting out, it is advisable to check the current route and trail conditions.

The Montecatino loop begins in the square in front of the church. It reaches Montecatino Hill at 480 meters, where the church of Santa Maria once stood, and returns to San Concordio di Moriano via Le Querce, La Cappella, and Arsina. When weather conditions are suitable, views of the Apuan Alps, the Apennines, and various parts of Tuscany are possible. Along the way, olive groves, chestnut woods, and stands of oak trees shape the scenery. The route thus combines wooded and agricultural sections with a former church site and possible long-distance views.

The Anello di Montecatino starts at the church and reaches a 483-meter-high summit with the Torre di Montecatino bell tower and the ruins of the church of Santa Maria Annunziata. The route passes through vineyards, olive groves, and oak and chestnut woods. Those comparing hiking routes will find clear landmarks here: the summit with its tower and ruins, and a succession of different landscape features.

Cycling on Named Routes

The San Concordio di Moriano Trail is designated for mountain biking and e-biking and is part of the Morianese Trails Area network. Its listed length is 1.9 miles, with an elevation gain of 841 feet. These details complement the route’s classification by its explicitly stated cycling activities and its inclusion in the trail network.

The Mutigliano–Arsina–San Concordio di Moriano–San Lorenzo di Moriano route is suitable for city bikes, touring bikes, road bikes, gravel bikes, and mountain bikes. As a scenic route, it runs between Valfreddana and the lower Serchio Valley and offers views of Lucca and the plain of Lucca. The route description thus specifies both a range of bicycle types and a particular line of sight. The scenic routes can therefore be distinguished by their described courses, surfaces, and the views mentioned for each.

Church and Historical Building Phases

The church’s bell tower dates from 1801. The original church was renovated and expanded to three naves in the 19th century. From 1912 onward, the choir, dome, high altar, and marble floor were added. Restoration work and the construction of the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows were completed in 1938–1939. Together, these dates show several phases in the building’s history: the tower, renovation, furnishings, and later restoration work.

The institutional history also has a clear chronological reference: the Bernardini family’s right of patronage over the church lasted for more than 900 years and ended in 1924. An even older written record appears in a document from 997 containing the phrase “terra di S. Concordio.”

Discover more destinations: Farneta, San Pietro A Vico, Nozzano Castello, Monte San Quirico, Pieve Di Brancoli, San Macario In Monte, Balbano, Monsagrati.

For the broader travel overview: Lucca.