Monti: Pieve, Castle and Views

Monti has two clearly distinct settlement areas: the small historic village with its castle sits on higher ground, while a larger settlement lies on the plain. Other features include the Catholic Church of Santa Maria Assunta and the terrace of Castello Malaspina, with its views. This gives you a concrete picture of the area’s history, architecture and landscape when choosing where to stay. You can weigh up whether historic buildings, the views or a connection with cycling is most important for your trip.

Church and architectural history

The Catholic Church of Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Pieve di Santa Maria di Venelia, is in Monti, in the municipality of Licciana Nardi, in the province of Massa-Carrara. It has been documented since the end of the 10th century and was completely rebuilt in the 18th century. It also incorporates the semicircular apse of the earlier Romanesque church from the 12th century. The apse thus provides an architectural link to the earlier Romanesque church, while the complete rebuilding marks a later period. Its architectural history therefore brings together several eras rather than focusing on just one. Santa Maria Assunta and Pieve di Santa Maria di Venelia are two names for the same church.

The historic village and the castle

The castle stands in the small historic village on higher ground; the larger settlement lies on the plain. The medieval Castello di Monti was converted into a noble residence in the 16th century by Duke Moroello Malaspina. Together, the two settlement areas and the castle’s history give the layout of the area a distinct place in your travel plans. Monti is therefore defined by more than a single historic building: its landscape includes both the village with the castle and the larger settlement on the plain.

Views across Lunigiana

From the terrace of Castello Malaspina di Monti, views stretch across the Lunigiana Valley, the Apennines and the peaks of the Apuan Alps. The sweeping panorama complements the focus on history with a sense of the landscape. If you consider the surroundings as well as architectural history when choosing a destination, Monti offers two distinct points of interest: the settlement and its historic buildings on the one hand, and the view from the castle terrace on the other.

Cycling route and visit planning

Monti di Licciana is also linked to a cycling route: the MM4-N002 circular ride runs from the Bagnone plain to the Taverone plain via Monti di Licciana. For travellers who want to include cycling in their options, this offers a specific route alongside the area’s historical and scenic attractions. The circular ride and the castle visit provide different starting points for planning your trip.

In 2026, visits to Castello Malaspina di Monti are limited to set dates and times, and advance reservations are required. If you plan to visit the castle, check the date and time that apply to your travel period and book in advance. This lets you account for the scheduled visiting times when planning your stay.

Discover more destinations: Amola, Apella, Pontebosio, Tavernelle

Go to the broader travel guide: Licciana-Nardi.