Casola, originally called “Casuli” in Roman age, is a small and charming village considered the gateway to the Apuan Alps Park from the Lunigiana side. Located on a rocky spur in the upper course of the river Aulella, and near the river Tassonaro, Casola offers wild views and extends over a territory that embraces the Apennine and Apuan chains, along the border between Lunigiana and Garfagnana. The village, once owned by the Malaspina of Fosdinovo, had a long connection with the community of Fivizzano from the fifteenth to the nineteenth century. In 1841, Casola became part of the Duchy of Modena, in 1859 it was included in the Province of Massa-Carrara until assuming its current name in 1863.
The Town Hall houses the Museum of the upper valley of the Aulella, with finds from the Paleolithic. Along the ancient road that leads to Garfagnana, stands the Hospital of San Nicolao di Tea, while near Casola, the Romanesque churches in Codiponte and Offiano, and picturesque villages such as Regnano, Ugliancaldo and Castiglioncello are worth a visit. Nature lovers can start from here to explore the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines National Park and the Apuan Alps Regional Park.
