Casentino Valley - Nature
The
Casentino valley is not only rich in art and history; it also features wonderful views of pure forests.
National Park of Casentino Forests, Monte Falterona, Campigna
Casentino
The National Park stretches for over 36,000 hectares along the ridge of the Appenine chain between Tuscany and Romagna and its forests testify a centuries-old, positive relationship with mankind, which reached its acme with the settlements of the Camaldolesian monks and the Franciscan monks of
La Verna. The strong and millenary bond between spirituality and nature, together with the product of the humble work of entire generations, has handed down to our modern generations large stretches of woods dominated by silver firs, beeches and monumental chestnut groves. The bridle-paths, tracks and historic roads remind of the closeknit ties between the Tuscan and the Romagnese valleys and the material life of the peoples and of entire civilizations: in this way, alongside the Vie degli Assestatori("woodmen`s paths") and the Vie dei Legni ("logging trails"), one can find Roman passes to Romagna, or the evidence of a frequent passage of the Etruscan along the paths of
Mount Falterona, which houses the source of the Arno river.
Catenaia Alp
The Catenaia Alp, situated "Intra Tevere et Arno" (between the Tiber and the Arno rivers), forms a secondary Appennine ridge, ending slightly upstream of
La Verna Sanctuary. This Alp has an average height of 1,300 metres and is covered by large stretches of beech woods and meadows at its top. There one can admire the
Franciscan Hermitage of Casella and the magnificent view offered by the
Prati della Regina (the Queen`s Meadows).
Pratomagno
This mountain chain detaches itself from the Appenines near Mount Falterona and, after a slope through which it reaches about 1,000 metres height, at the
Croce ai Mori and
Consuma passes, it starts rising again towards the
Crocevecchia pass before becoming "Prato magno" ("the great meadow") at
Secchieta. From Secchieta upstream of Loro, where the mountain chain slopes towards the Aretine plain, there is a series of roundish mountain tops alternated with saddles and passes. The average height is of about 1,400 metres but it reaches 1,600 metres near the impressive iron cross, built at the ent of the 20s. Montemignaio, Cetica, Quota, Raggiolo, Capraia, Pontenano and other villages still retain the charm of their glorious past and boast countless works of art and architecture, which are worth a visit. Special mention must be made of the Benedictine
Abbey of Santa Trinita, near Monte Lori, whose majestic ruins in the heart of the forest testify its ancient power and splendour, which where overwhelmed by events.
... from
Casentino Sviluppo e Turismo
