Pontremoli, the gateway to Tuscany

Pontremoli, the enchanting Tuscan gem, is famous not only for its medieval streets and the Prince's Bridge but also for its historic villas. These aristocratic residences, nestled in the natural beauty of the Apennines, tell centuries of history. One such gem is Villa Dosi Delfini, an exemplary Renaissance-era villa that showcases remarkable architecture and pristine gardens overlooking the serene Magra River. Villa Dosi Delfini, also known as the "Villa dei Chiosi," is located just outside the village. It was built at the end of the 17th century at the request of two brothers, Carlo and Francesco Dosi, wealthy businessmen who were involved in the transit and and trade of goods between the port of Livorno and the Po Valley.

Villa Dosi Delfini

Villa Dosi Delfini, interiors of the rooms

Main interior hall

he park surrounding the Villa is a wonderful place, enriched with statues and centuries-old plants, which further enhance its charm. The interior of the Villa is equally magnificent, adorned with frescoes attributed to artists like Francesco Natali and Alessandro Gherardini, the latter renowned for creating numerous works in Pontremoli. The rooms are richly decorated with paintings and period furnishings that transport visitors back in time, offering a glimpse into the golden past of this residence.

Villa La Cartiera

Villa La Cartiera, the park with centuries-old trees

Villa La Cartiera, interiors of the rooms, the dining room

Not far away stands Villa La Cartiera. Once called the Lord's Villa, it was renamed Villa La Cartiera by Emanuele del Signore precisely because in 1822, the entire complex was used for paper production. In 1830, the "House" with three floors was built, and in 1849, the entire complex was purchased by the Rizzetti family. In 1888, Giovanni Del Signore, who had returned to Italy from the United States to continue his entrepreneurial activities, acquired the entire Cartiera complex along with the factory, a pasta factory, two ovens, three mills, and an olive press.

Giovanni Del Signore thus transformed the House and its park into a Villa and established a sawmill and an ice factory at the Cartiera, both powered by the hydraulic energy of the Biedale, a channel derived from the Magra River. Using a portion of the collected water's energy, he set up a turbine system capable of converting it into electrical energy. Thanks to this ingenious system, he was able to power the production activities and provide lighting for the Villa. The rooms inside have beautiful painted decorations, and in the park surrounding the Villa, there are centuries-old trees.

View of Pontremoli from the side of the Magra River, with the Piagnaro Castle

Bell tower, 1322, commissioned by Castruccio Castracani

iew of Pontremoli from the side of the Verde River, with the Piagnaro Castle

I leave behind this wonderful village that has managed to give me unique moments with the flavor of times past. Thanks to the care and love of many local people, everything remains unchanged over time, with the hope that this immense Italian heritage remains in our memories for as long as possible... and beyond. As Edgar Allan Poe once said, "Traveling is like dreaming: the difference is that not everyone, upon waking, remembers something, while everyone keeps warm the memory of the places they have returned from."