Filattiera is located in the upper Lunigiana, nestled among the mountains of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. The hilly, terraced landscape—planted with wheat, barley, vineyards, and olive trees—gently slopes toward the picturesque river plain of the Magra. This area of local interest features fields of fodder and corn, with the Magra River flowing through the cultivated land.
The name Filattiera is derived from Fulacterion, a Byzantine term meaning strategic fortification. The medieval village, perched on a hill to control the valley below, is home to the Church of San Giorgio, dating back to the 12th century. Inside is the Plaque of Leodegar, a marble epigraph from 752 A.D., commemorating the death of an important figure—possibly a bishop—tasked with eliminating pagan idols in Lunigiana.
The Via Francigena passes through Filattiera and the hamlet of Ponticello, a well-preserved medieval center. Ponticello is distinguished by its stone buildings, squares, courtyards, and narrow alleys, with numerous covered passages and tower houses, reminiscent of the nearby village of Caprio. Another medieval gem along the Via Francigena is the Pieve di Santo Stefano, a must-visit for its historical and architectural value.
