The Stazzema territory is very hilly and mountainous. Each village is set against a backdrop of the Apuane Alps and is surrounded by green countryside and chestnut tree woods.
The main village of the commune is Pontestazzemese, situated not far from Stazzema, with it’s backdrop of Monte Forato and the Pania della Croce. From here, the SP 42 gives access to the mountain hamlets of Cardoso, Pruno and Volegno, at the feet of the Pania della Croce, Procinto and Monte Forato. The working of marble was of great importance to the economic development of the three hamlets, which are visited today by tourists wanting to gain access to the footpaths leading into the Apuane Alps.
The SP 9 and 10 roads from Pontestazzemese lead to the villages of Retignao, Terrinca and Levigliani. Terrinca, which was an independent comune between 1376 and 1484, is considered the oldest village in all of Versilia. Situated at the base of Monte Corchia, its church is dedicated to San Celemente and San Colombano and is adorned with many coats of arms, marble carvings and ornate doorways. Up until the 16th century, the comune also included Levigliani, a popular summer holiday destination. By continuing along the SP9 and then taking the Cansoli road, one arrives at Ruosina, the first coastal village of the municipality. It played an important role in the iron industry and was the capital village of the municipality right up to the 19th century.
Continuing along the SP 42 towards the south, a small detour leads to Pomezzana, at the foot of Monte Matanna. Further on lie the villages of Farnocchia, Procinto, Forato, Pania Secca, Pania della Croce, and Corchia.
In the eastern part of the territory, and accessible only from Castelnuovo Garfagnana, is the isolated village of Palagnana, located at the base of mounts Croce and Matanna and a popular holiday destination. Another fairly isolated village is that of Sant’Anna di Stazzema, which lies in the shelter of mounts Lieto and Gabberi and is accessible from Pietrasanta. Sadly, it is mainly remembered as the site of the nazi massacre that took place on the 12th August 1944. In 1948, the Ossario Monument was erected in memory of that sad day.

Photos © Adrian Fagg