Borgo di Licciana Nardi

The 12th-century village built along the ancient “Strata Lizane”

The village of Licciana, now the capital of the municipality of Licciana Nardi, dates back to the 12th century. It was built with a distinctive architecture featuring sandstone portals that set it apart.

The village is located in a particularly narrow part of the Taverone Valley. It has been of primary importance for the direction of valley-floor traffic since the ancient “Strata Lizane” or “Via dei Linari”, which connected the area beyond the Apennines to the middle Val di Magra.

The choice of the construction site was not random; its purpose was twofold: on one hand, it served as a military blockade, and on the other, it acted as a guard post for the Abbey of Linari.

According to some research based on documents from the tithes dated 1297-1299, before the 13th century, Licciana was one of the villages that formed the Vico of San Valeriano: a chapel that depended on the Parish of Venelia (today Monti di Licciana).
The construction of the village of Licciana, closely linked to the path of the ancient roads, led to a fairly rapid urban and economic development. This prompted the Malaspina family to completely fortify the ancient settlement during the 14th and 15th centuries.
A part of this fortification that is still clearly visible is the tower located across from the provincial road, a testament to what was once a complex and intricate town wall system.

In 1535, Licciana became the sole lordship of the Marquisate of Villafranca thanks to a privilege granted by the emperor. The Licciana castle, which overlooked the main square, was transformed between the 15th and 16th centuries, first into a fortified palace and then into a residential residence. Over time, it took on Renaissance characteristics and today it stands as a noble palace.