Levigliani: Caves, mining history and marble craftsmanship

Levigliani lies among beech and chestnut forests below Monte Corchia and within the Parco delle Alpi Apuane. Its mountainous landscape and mining and craft history shape the character of the village. When planning a stay, you can consider guided tours of varying durations, hikes and cultural history together.

Mountain landscape and hikes

From Levigliani, hiking trails lead through beech forests to mountain huts and panoramic peaks in the surrounding mountains. Individual routes and their availability may vary. The landscape can therefore be explored in different ways; when planning, you should take the relevant route and its availability into account.

A guided excursion to the Gothic Line starts and ends in Levigliani and leads to defensive trenches on Monte Corchia. It takes about four and a half hours and is offered seasonally. Check whether the period fits your travel dates. Compared with the approximately two-hour tours of the Antro del Corchia and the marble quarries, it is a longer outing.

Caves and marble quarries

The karst system of the Antro del Corchia comprises around 70 kilometres of explored and mapped caves, as well as up to 20 different entrances. The guided tour follows a steel walkway approximately 2,000 metres long and lasts about two hours. These figures refer to different things: the kilometre figure describes the karst system, while the duration helps you plan the time needed for the guided tour.

The marble quarry tour starts in the village of Levigliani, returns there and also lasts about two hours. Restored Italian military vehicles with four-wheel drive, converted for civilian use, are used for the visit. The two tours therefore have a similar approximate duration, but differ in content and format. For the marble quarry tour, check booking requirements and seasonal availability before your trip.

Mining history and museums

The mercury mines of Levigliani are considered the oldest mining site in Upper Tuscany; they were first mentioned in 1153 in a document from Pisa. The section open to visitors includes an ancient area that showcases primitive mining techniques, as well as a later section with a rail system for mine carts. This later area is considered evidence of industrial archaeology.

The “Lavorare Liberi” Museum conveys the economic and social history of Levigliani through objects, documents and eyewitness accounts. The Museo della Pietra Piegata focuses on a different subject: it provides an overview of the development of marble craftsmanship, from roughly worked objects to finely inlaid works and sacred pieces. The cultural history thus ranges from mining techniques to marble working. A cist tomb of the Liguri Apuani, from a nearby necropolis, is also on display in Levigliani.

Getting there by car

Levigliani is accessible by car via the Strada Provinciale d’Arni. The road passes through Seravezza and Ruosina and continues beyond the village of Retignano. As road conditions may change, it is worth checking them before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Culla, Palagnana, Terrinca, Retignano, Farnocchia.

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