Careggine

Perched on the rugged eastern slopes of the Apuan Alps, the sparsely populated mountain enclave of Careggine leverages its high-altitude terrain to cultivate highly specialized crops. Here, within a restricted zone of 15 municipalities, the ancient grain Farro della Garfagnana IGP thrives in the stony soil. The surrounding slopes also yield sweet chestnuts ground into Farina di Neccio della Garfagnana DOP, a traditional flour protected across 19 local municipalities. In total, 15 protected denominations overlap in this alpine territory, proving that even Lucca’s least inhabited peaks harbor a distinct gastronomic identity.