Orzaglia: A Panoramic Balcony in the Heart of Garfagnana

Hi dear friends!!

Today, as I promised, I’m back to talk about the Tuscan villages. I’ll introduce you to another village off the usual tourist path, which I had the pleasure of exploring at a leisurely pace, allowing me to observe every part of this place. It’s always a pleasure for me to share with you what I’ve observed on my journey.

The village in question is Orzaglia, located about 700 meters above sea level in the heart of Garfagnana, on a beautiful plateau overlooking chestnut groves and fields of farro, right in the midst of nature.

As soon as I set foot at the entrance of the village, I immediately noticed an ancient fountain. Having a source of water was always very important back in the day because where there is water, there is life. I also noticed it was quite hot; here, the streets and houses are all made of stone, which retains heat, and you can definitely feel it.

What struck me right away is that every corner of this beautiful village invites contemplation and fully immerses you in tranquility; there was absolutely no noise. Artistically, I could see the Church of San Giovanni Battista, though as usual it was closed, with a sign saying it’s open only on weekends during mass, and some houses decorated significantly and adorned with flowers.
At a sign where I stopped while walking, I read that this small village is famous for an ancient tradition. It’s known for the "tiro alla forma," an old traditional game held every year that attracts enthusiasts from all over Tuscany. This skillful challenge involves hitting a wooden target with an iron disk from a distance. I must say it’s wonderful that such ancient traditions are still preserved as part of this village’s past.

I think there are only a few residents living here; it seemed to me that there were many second homes or vacation houses. However, as you can see from the photos, the houses and the village are very well maintained. As you can always see from my photos, the landscape surrounding this village is enchanting, and what I immediately noticed is that the air is fresh and clean.

Naturally, besides immersing yourself in the architectural beauty of the village itself, there are many natural trails starting from here for people who love trekking, as well as those who enjoy biking. There’s truly a lot of fun to be had, in my opinion.
I spent almost half a day here. Unfortunately, as usual, I didn’t meet anyone to chat with, but there are few residents here anyway. It’s very nice to see places where life moves slowly, a perfect spot for a getaway from the city’s chaos.

In conclusion, I was very satisfied with my excursion— a bit hot but enjoyable. I hope I brought you along with me virtually through my photos. Sending you a hug and see you in my next post!