The Fontanabuona Valley, which runs parallel to the coast, has temperate climate due to its proximity to the sea and the protection provided by the mountains.
The typical produce of this valley is hazelnuts, but chestnuts and olive trees grow there also, while the main activity activity here is the extraction of slate, which is called “sleeping bread”.
Slate is very important for the local economy and is of great interest from the point of view of tourism.
The Road of Black Slate is in effect a living museum spreading out over six different sites which take visitors through the various stages of mining and working the slate.