At about 0.6 ml from Villafranca we found the walled town of Filetto.
The village is different from other Lunigiana villages in its quadrilateral planning and in its position because the other villages are often built on the hill tops.
Its origin traces back to the “limes”, the Byzantine coast defence against the invading Lombards (6th and 7th centuries).
The place-name could derive from the Greek “filakterion” that is a fortified place as the near Filattiera, part of the same “limes”.

Inside the walls it is still possible to discern the planning of the old Roman-Byzantine “castrum” with four cylindrical towers (Piazza di Sopra).
In the wide empty square there is the confluence of the narrow medieval streets with their vaults which are a constant characteristic of the Lunigiana villages.
During 16th century the walls were extended towards the east and the village, including the road leading to Bagnone from Villafranca.
Of the same age is the south door of the village, rebuilt in 1700.

A prehistoric note:
In the near mysterious forest, where old tribal rites took place, many stele statues were found.

And a society note:
At Filetto every year in August there is the “Medieval Market” and the village lives again as in the old times,

For more info:
www.terredilunigiana.com: Filetto