There’s an Italy that most people never see.
It’s not the Italy of crowded monuments, famous beaches, or bustling cities. It’s a quieter, more intimate Italy — made of tiny villages tucked away in the mountains and woods, where time seems to have simply stopped.
One of these rare places is Iera, a small hamlet in the heart of Lunigiana, northern Tuscany — and stepping into it feels like entering a fairy tale. But this one is real.
Here, far from the noise of modern life, everything flows slowly.
The stone houses, lovingly maintained, line the banks of a crystal-clear stream that winds gently through the village. The sound of water follows you everywhere, a soft and soothing presence. Around you, the forest wraps the village in green silence.
A Forgotten Roman Bridge and a Natural Bath
Just beyond the village, hidden in the woods, lies a forgotten Roman bridge, half-lost in the trees. Beneath it, the stream gathers in a clear natural pool — perfect for a refreshing summer swim.
There are no concrete pools, no crowds, no tickets. Only pure water, ancient stones, and the quiet joy of reconnecting with something timeless and untouched.
The Forest of Wonders: Where Imagination Comes to Life
But Iera holds another secret — something truly enchanting.
Deep in a centuries-old chestnut grove lies the “Forest of Wonders,” a magical woodland trail brought to life by local volunteers with a shared love for their land and its stories.
What began as a small, handmade path has grown into a living world of tiny surprises: fairy houses, wooden gnomes, painted signs, colorful benches, and playful objects carefully placed among mossy trunks and forest clearings. Every detail is imagined and crafted to spark curiosity, especially in the hearts of children — but the magic reaches everyone who walks there.
At times, the forest comes even more alive. Quiet evenings may bring soft lights, costumed figures, and whispered tales, transforming the grove into a stage for wonder and storytelling. Villagers say the woods carry voices if you listen closely — songs, laughter, and the murmurs of creatures that live between dreams and daylight.
This is not a commercial attraction. There’s no entrance fee, no gates. It is a gift, made by people who believe in magic, memory, and the power of nature to heal and inspire.
Walking there feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook. Sunlight filters through the leaves. The air smells of moss and chestnut bark. And everything — from the smallest carved window to the curve of a hidden path — whispers peace, imagination, and kindness.
A Different Kind of Italy — One You Never Expected
To a foreign traveler, Iera offers an Italy that defies expectations.
No crowds. No souvenirs. No luxury resorts.
Just authenticity, hospitality, and the gentle rhythm of rural life.
Here, you can live — if only for a few hours — inside a real fairy tale, surrounded by nature, community, and silence that speaks.
In a world that moves too fast, Iera offers the opposite: a return to what truly matters.
To water, stone, and forest.
To stories told without words.
To beauty that asks nothing of you but your presence.
And yes — these places still exist.
And they exist in Italy.
