A Village historically tied to the tradition of transhumance
The ancient village of Noce is one of the first settlements encountered when entering the Valli di Zeri. Zeri, it’s worth noting, is a scattered municipality in the Lunigiana region, located on the border between Liguria and the Province of Parma.
In ancient times, the village of Noce was entirely rural, historically tied to the work of shepherds and, through them, to the beautiful tradition of transhumance toward the area known as Formentara. This seasonal migration followed the old route called “Trianara”, which has recently been restored.
During World War II, Noce suffered a brutal round‑up in which almost the entire village was set on fire. Today the rebuilt settlement looks quite different from the original, which was once composed almost entirely of stone arches and vaulted passages.
In Noce there are two small chapels. The first, once privately owned, houses an unusual Black Madonna statue.
The second stands in the hamlet of Canale and is dedicated to the Holy Spirit. Its exterior walls are striking: on hundreds of the stones you can still read names that were chiseled in by hand, very likely those of the volunteers who built the oratory. Several of the inscriptions are plainly written in local dialect.
Where the Village of Noce is located
The village of Noce sits along Provincial Road 37, the route that climbs from Pontremoli toward the many mountain passes linking Tuscany with the Ligurian Apennines and the Province of Parma.
How to Reach the Village of Noce
Dalla rotonda di viale Europa a Pontremoli seguire la cartellonistica per Zeri. Una volta superata la località di Codolo, dopo circa 8km arriverete al paese di Noce.
Nearby you can find
Monte Spiaggi, Zum Zeri, Cascata della Colombara.
