Comano: History, Views and Regional Cuisine

Discover Comano through its history, viewpoints and regional cuisine. Notable landmarks include the ruined tower of Castello Malaspina, routes to Passo del Lagastrello and Pattona di Comano. In Torsana, you’ll find more points of interest: the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, Cascata di Torsana and the possibility of spotting golden eagles.

History across three periods

On a hill stands the cylindrical tower ruin, the surviving part of Castello Malaspina, dating from the 11th century. It is a distinctive landmark of Comano. The tower’s shape and location give the structure a clear place in the town’s history.

The first reliable records of Comano date from the 9th century. This date refers to records about the town; the 11th century, by contrast, refers to Castello Malaspina. The two dates therefore mark different historical reference points.

In Torsana, the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore was built in the 12th century. Along with the remains of the castle, it offers another structure that can be placed in a specific historical period. Anyone interested in the area’s history can distinguish between the records of Comano from the 9th century, Castello Malaspina from the 11th century and the church from the 12th century.

Torsana: waterfall and wildlife watching

Cascata di Torsana is a ten-metre-high waterfall in the municipality of Comano. The approach starts at the Torsana cemetery. The walk takes approximately 30 minutes and is graded E. This duration is an approximate guide; check trail conditions locally before planning the approach.

From the church square of San Giacomo Maggiore in Torsana, you may be lucky enough to spot golden eagles nesting on Punta Buffanaro. Torsana has been part of Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano since 2010. When planning, it helps to distinguish between the nature attractions: the waterfall has a described approach with an approximate duration, while eagle sightings are uncertain.

Views and routes to Passo del Lagastrello

Comano’s Big Bench No. 153 was installed in 2021 on the road to Passo del Lagastrello. From the bench, the view stretches from the mountains of Parco Nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano to the Alpi Apuane. This gives the viewpoint a specific panorama encompassing two named mountain regions.

Comano’s hamlets are also starting points for walks and hikes to scenic Passo del Lagastrello. This is another way to explore the surrounding area by heading to a specific destination. When planning, you can distinguish these walks and hikes from the individual approach to Cascata di Torsana: an approximate duration is given for the waterfall, while the routes to the pass are described in terms of the types of walks available.

Pattona di Comano and regional cuisine

Pattona di Comano is a bread made with chestnut flour. To prepare it, the bread is wrapped in chestnut leaves and baked in a wood-fired oven. Lunigiana is the production area; the product is particularly associated with the municipality of Comano in the province of Massa-Carrara. Pattona thus combines a precisely described preparation method with a local association.

Testaroli are also part of Lunigiana’s typical cuisine and can be sampled in Comano. While pattona is particularly associated with Comano because of where it is made, testaroli broaden the picture to include Lunigiana’s cuisine. The two products therefore offer different ways to discover the region’s food culture.

Discover more destinations: Carrara, Aulla, Zeri, Corlaga, Caniparola, Casola In Lunigiana, Prota, Pian di Molino.

For the broader travel overview: Massa-Carrara.