A small village in the Pontremoli area located in the upper Verde Valley, Cervara can be reached from the Guinadi junction, where along the way you’ll encounter a beautiful waterfall of the Verde stream and, in a chestnut grove in the Campiglia area, the ruins of a small chapel, traditionally said to be the oldest in the valley.

The village of Cervara is dotted along the paved road that ends at the Church of San Giorgio, located at the highest point. The church dates back to the 15th century and features a classic facade, a foundation of irregular stone blocks, and a stone portal, preserving elegant painted decorations inside.

One of Cervara’s main features is undoubtedly the faciòn, apotropaic sculptures representing human heads, mysterious manifestations of popular culture meant to ward off evil spirits. Usually placed above the doorways of houses, they date back to the 16th and 17th centuries and are found throughout the Verde Valley. One of these sculptures can be seen on the facade of the old hospital dedicated to St. Mary.