Fortezza delle Verrucole

Another local excursion today, this time to Fortezza delle Verrucole. Adding to the long list of places you’ve never heard of, for several hundred years, this was the main fortress in northern Garfagnana. I’ve praised Google Maps often and we have pretty much entrusted our entire well-being to the tech giant, but once in a while, it does us dirty. Google, is this really what you call a street? Just an opinion, but if you can’t exit a vehicle without using the sunroof, you’re probably not on a recommended route. On a regular day the Roberts’ would be cruising a minivan with French fries stuck in the seats and Google wouldn’t know the difference, so on a street like this, how would that work?

Nevertheless, after a few three-point turns to get around corners, we arrive at the small town below the fort. From here it is a short hike to the gate. Along the way, we pass a small chapel overlooking the valley the, sadly, had a need to post a sign like this. smh.

There are no people watching us from the tower today, however, as the fort is locked up tight. We find enough of a cell signal to learn that it is only open on Fridays. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve wandered into somewhere I shouldn’t be and feigned tourist ignorance so, having driven all this way, I set out in search of a spot we can get in to look around. Or course, this is a fort, whose express purpose is to keep people out so…

With a good chunk of the day suddenly back at our disposal, we drive back to Barga and use the time to check out the old city. It is like many others around here, slightly larger, but with equally few places to eat. For as much great food as there is here in Italy, sometimes they really make you work for it.