The Staffora Valley crosses three provinces. It wedges between the Curone valley, in the province of Alessandria, the Oltrepò Pavese, the Tidone valley and the Trebbia valley, in the province of Piacenza. Its beginning, on the slopes of the Giovà pass, is a stretch through a wild and impervious first part, embraced by the imposing mountains that surround it: Penice (1460 m), Cima Colletta (1494 m), Lesima (1724 m), Chiappo (1700 m) and Bogleglio (1492 m).
A changing landscape
Once in Varzi, the landscape of the valley gives way to gentle hills and the valley continues until it reaches the plain where the Staffora torrent joins the waters of the mighty Po. Along the way you will come across charming villages such as Bagnaria, Brallo di Pregola, Cecima, Godiasco, Menconico, Ponte Nizza, Santa Margherita Staffora and Val di Nizza. Each village is immersed in the enchanting landscape of the Apennines and offers opportunities for open-air activities and exciting excursions, for a tourism that allows itself to be enveloped by the natural beauty of the territory.
The historic Salt Road
The Staffora Valley was crossed by the ancient Via del Sale (Salt Road), once travelled by caravans of mules laden with sacks of precious salt. The route followed the valley floor and reached Genoa, climbing up Mount Bogleglio and following the ridge up to the suggestive Mount Antola, then descending towards Torriglia. Today it has become a popular destination for hiking and trekking enthusiasts, in an environment of extraordinary natural interest, amidst woods, meadows and the majestic peaks of the surrounding mountains.
Places of interest
Historical and natural attractions: the Staffora Valley has an immense heritage to offer visitors. The Malaspina Castle and the Torre delle Streghe (Witches' Tower) in Varzi, the Montalfeo Fortress, the Oramala Castle and the Pietragavina Castle are all worth a visit. In addition to the fortresses, there are also nature reserves: the Monte Alpe Nature Reserve and the Torraie Nature Reserve.
Cultural traditions
The mountainous part of the Staffora Valley is part of the culturally homogeneous territory of the Four Provinces, characterised by common customs and traditions, including a repertoire of ancient music and dances, in which one of the main instruments is the Apennine whistle. One of the villages that keeps these traditions alive is Cegni, in the municipality of Santa Margherita Staffora, famous for its carnival, which is still celebrated according to an ancient rite.
The Four Provinces
The toponym "Four Provinces" is of relatively recent origin and has spread thanks to ethnological and musical studies carried out since the 1970s. The name was coined to identify a territory that included the provinces of Pavia, Alessandria, Genoa and Piacenza, which shared the same musical traditions. Over time, the name "Four Provinces" has been extended to other historical and geographical concepts, highlighting the strong links between the various local communities.
The powerful Malaspina family and the legend of the name
The history of the Staffora Valley is inextricably linked to the domination of the powerful Malaspina family, a family of noble origin derived from the Obertenghi. For centuries, the Malaspina exercised their dominion over these lands.
The name 'Malaspina' is the subject of numerous theories and legends that try to explain its origin. The most fictional version, painted on a fresco preserved in a room of the Malaspina castle in Fosdinovo, tells of an episode that occurred in 540 AD. It is said that the young nobleman Accino Marzio had sworn revenge for the death of his father. One day, he surprised the king of the Franks, Theodobert, in his sleep and stabbed him in the throat with a thorn. The dying king's desperate cry, 'Ah! Mala spina!' is said to have given rise to the surname Malaspina.
