Casa Gialla is located in the Garfagnana region of Northern Tuscany, in the Apuane Alpi National Park.
Italy is divided into administrative areas named communes. We are part of the Commune of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, although we are actually closer to the town of Carregine.
The Alpi Apuane and Apennine Mountains meet in the region and we have 360 degree mountain views, over both ranges.
There are spectacular mountain views in every direction. North and East to the Appenine mountains, and at night, lights can be seen in the mountain village of San Pelegrino in Alpe, and further in the distance the city of Barga. In the morning, these mountains are often hazy.
To the West – Mount Sumbra, and to the south, ‘Dead Man’s Mountain’, at the heart of the Apuane Alpi. A mountain with a fascinating legend behind it.
In our opinion, the countryside here is much more spectacular than that of the more wellknown and expensive southern Tuscany. It is real Italy, with fewer tourists, where people live and work, some in traditional rural work, others in line with modern European occupations.
Everywhere there are dramatic rocky outcrops and chestnut forests. At higher levels alpine plants and wild herbs cover the rocks. Find out more of the local Flora and Fauna.
Our local town Castelnuovo di Garfagnana, is around 20 minutes by car, with the regional city of Lucca an hour away. Pisa Airport is 1.5 hours by car, and beach resorts of Versilia and Massa around an hour.
The world famous Carrara Marble Quarries, are just to our North, they offer fascinating tours, but marble veins can be found in much of the local rock around us.
There are many small villages, located on mountain tops, the local population is proud of its heritage and culture.
Many of the villages host their own individual festival each year.
The local dishes are simple, traditional and extremely tasty. Restaurants and bars can be found in the most unexpected places.
Traditional building styles are of local stone with terracotta tiled rooms. In exposed mountain areas the rooves are of local slate. The more refined buildings are of the ‘villa’ style. Since the war, local people have tended to move out to towns and cities, for an easier life with modern facilities.
Many villages became deserted and derelict. However in recent years, people are returning to the countryside to buy and renovate older properties for a more relaxing life, as summer or retirement homes, or for the renovation of inherited property.
In 2021, we visited the abandoned and deserted village of ‘Ruderi di Bugnano‘ a fascinating but remote village with no access except by an overgrown path into the woods. Later an awe inspiring visit to Campocatino – a high mountain village which appears to have been taken over by artistic renovators.
Follow the links to find out more about these two places.
Angela 2023