This itinerary crosses one of the borders that demarcated the lands of the Estensi and Lucchesi families in the Fosciandorino territory.
Starting from Fosciandora, near the church dedicated to the patron saint of the town, San Sebastiano (10), and after the Pieroni Park (11), we take the slope that leads to the elegant Villa Raffaelli (12), named after the most important family in the history of the area. Leaving the houses, we ascend a path through the forest that leads to Lupinaia; from the main square, we climb towards the Church of S. Pietro (13) and cross the upper part of the village. Lupinaia is known as the ‘Borgo della Castagna’ (Chestnut Village) for the presence of well-preserved and still cultivated chestnut groves, and also for an autumn festival that has been held for decades with the aim of enhancing the culture and cultivation of this product that has provided a living for the local population for centuries. The route therefore takes us through a forest of chestnut trees (14) and then back into the village via the small grassy plateau of Lavacchio, once intensively cultivated.
We descend the village through steep lanes, skirting sections of the ancient city walls, to exit through the South Gate (15); as we descend, we cross what was once one of the main agricultural areas of our territory, the Campi di Lupinaia (16), with its classic terracing, vineyards and olive groves. From this area, a path leads to Treppignana, crossing the characteristic Ponte della Penna. Treppignana.
We then return to Fosciandora, near the Pucci Park car park (17), where a plaque recalls the wars between Lucca and the Este family, one of the bloodiest episodes for our territory, the Battle of the Maese in 1583, which caused numerous casualties and considerable damage and destruction to the villages of Fosciandora and Lupinaia.
The Fosciandora Lupinaia ring can also be combined with the Ceserana Estense itinerary, with a complete double-loop in the exact chronological order from points 1 to 19 inclusive; or from the Pucci Park, heading south-east, it is possible to join the Attraverso il Rimonio itinerary.
