Pontremoli is a beautiful medieval village wedged between Magra and Verde rivers in the province of Massa. It's a major stop along the Via Francigena in Northern Tuscany (which continues on to Filetto, Aulla and Sarzana) and is one of the larger towns of the Lunigiana.

Famous for its Stele Statue Museum housed in the Castello del Piagnaro, Pontremoli is still largely undiscovered by tourists.

The castle offers beautiful views over the city, as well as stele statues dating from the copper age to Roman times, and you can see the stylistic changes over time by following along in the museum. The statues are probably meant, like the statues of Easter Island, to be stuck in the earth, as they are comprised of only a body and head, although many of the heads have been broken off, either in antiquity or due to hasty excavation.

Perhaps the most awe inspiring festival held in Pontremoli is Disfida dei Falò. Every year thousand of people come to the riverbed of Pontremoli on January 17 for the bonfire of San Niccolò and on January 31st for the one of San Geminiano. The highest fire wins the competition between the two neighborhoods.

An outdoor market is held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Food and a few clothing stalls are in the two main squares of the historic center. There are also stalls selling flowers, clothes, and other items around Piazza Italia, in the newer part of town.

There are many fine places to eat in Pontremoli. For a quick and tasty lunch, try Osteria San Francesco e il lupo (Saint Francis and the Wolf) or Osteria Oca Bianca at Via Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 17 for traditional snacks and food of the Lunigiana.