The park’s Visiting Centres are places designed to explain the region, and to show visitors the best way to discover and navigate the park, and choose the best programmes to make their visit to the protected area interesting and enjoyable.
They have been designed using original and didactic exhibition displays to educate visitors and give them a better knowledge about the environment of the region. Every centre has a general presentation about the region, which in some cases has a specific theme. The Visiting Centres are open in spring and summer months and sometimes during the Easter holidays. The centres in Bagno di Romagna (FC) and Badia Prataglia (AR) are open almost all year round. At these centres its possible to buy gadgets, guides and maps for hiking, as well as book guided tours for excursions.
Pratovecchio
Pratovecchio
Pratovecchio Tourist Information Office
Via G. Brocchi, 7
2015 Pratovecchio AR
Tel. 0575/503029
email: promozione@parcoforestecasentinesi.it
At the Pratovecchio Tourist Information Office in the Park headquarters (Palazzo Vigiani), its possible to pick up information leaflets, buy publications and gadgets about the park and book excursions. In Pratovecchio its definitely worth visiting the ‘Pieve di S. Pietro a Romena’, the most attractive church in the region, the ‘Castello di Romena’ and the ‘Abbazia di S. Maria a Poppiena’.
In Stia visit: S. Maria delle Grazie, which together with S. Maria del Sasso, is the most interesting Sanctuary dedicated to Mary in the whole of Casentino, the ‘Castello di Porciano’ and the ‘Palagio Fiorentino’, the 14th century residence of the Conti Guidi, the Woods and Mountain Museum, and the ‘Mostra del Lanificio’ (Wool exhibition). Regarding environmental heritage, its worth seeing ‘Monte Falterona’, the highest peak in the whole region of Florence, reachable via various attractive paths.
South of the peak of Monte Falterona is the ‘Lago degli Idoli’ (Lake of the idols), the most important archaeological site in Casentino where one of the most substantial finds from the Etruscan people was discovered.
At Campigna, as well as the ‘Passo della Calla’, there is also the silver fir themed ‘Sentiero Natura’ (Nature Path), which winds its way through one of the most beautiful pine forests, and another path off the Viale del Granduca - ‘Un sentiero per tutti….i sensi’ (A path for all…the senses)- which has well-trodden paths accompanied by signs in braille.
OPENING HOURS
January – February – March – April – May - June
- Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9.00 - 13.00
July - August
- Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Sat 9.00 - 13.00
September - October - November - December
- Mon, Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri 9.00 - 13.00
Man and the forest
Man and the forest
Man and the forest
The culture of the inhabitants of Badia Prataglia, a town located in the centre of the historic Casentino Forest not far from Camaldoli, is still infused today with the age old rapport between spirituality and the forest through the history of wood working and the ‘arte povera’ of the local craftsmen. As a result, this relationship has been chosen as the central theme for the Visitor Centre at Badia Prataglia, the most important town in the National Park. Objects made by old local craftsmen are exhibited in the display cases about working in the woods. On the second floor you will find a big model that shows the territory of the park, and the ‘stanza del Siemoni’ room, which is mostly dedicated to explaining the expansion and conservation of the forest and the reintroduction of various wild animal species. Close to the Visitor Centre you can visit the Arboretum and ‘Carlo Siemoni’ Forest Museum, where alongside photos there is a model of the geology of the region and a xylotheque, and the church of ‘SS. Assunta e S. Bartolomeo’ founded in the 10th century by Benedictine Monks. A few kilometres away from Badia Prataglia, in the direction of Bibbiena, you can visit the ‘Castle of Serravalle’, founded in 1188 and the ‘Sacred Hermitage of Camaldoli’, one of the most important and esteemed spiritual centres in Tuscany. Also worth seeing is the ‘Sentiero Natura’ (nature path), which runs between Badia Prataglia and the ‘Hermitage of Camaldoli’ and is themed around beech woods and a few of its other ‘inhabitants’: beech, silver fir, mountain maple, newts and salamanders are its protagonists. In May 2006 the ‘Sentiero per Sonia’ (path for Sonia) was inaugurated – it goes along well-trodden routes from Capanno into the forest and has signs in braille.
Via Nazionale, 14/a
52010 - Badia Prataglia-Poppi (AR)
tel/fax 0575.559477
email: cv.badiaprataglia@parcoforestecasentinesi.it
MONTH | OPENING TIMES |
January | Sat. Sun. 9.30-12.30 |
February | Sat. Sun. 9.30-12.30 |
March | Sat. Sun. and holidays 9.30-12.30 |
April | Sat. Sun. and holidays 9.00-12.30 |
May | Sat. Sun. and holidays 9.00-12.30 |
June | Sat. Sun. and holidays 9.00-12.30 (aperto anche il 1) |
July | Every day 9.00-12.30 / 15.30-18.00 |
August | Every day 9.00-12.30 / 15.30-19.00 |
September | Fri. Sat. Sun. 9.00-12.30 |
October | Fri. Sat. Sun. 9.00-12.30 |
November | Sat. Sun. and holidays 9.30-12.30 |
December | Sat. Sun. and holidays 9.30-12.30 (chiuso il 25, aperto il 7 e il 31) |
La Villetta
La Villetta
‘La Villetta’ Information point of Campigna
At the ‘La Villetta’ Park Information point, situated in Campigna,you can pick up information leaflets, buy publications and gadgets about the park and book excursions. Adjacent to the reception there is a projection room, which is also used for education evenings and conferences. The position of the Information point, almost inside the forest, makes it an ideal starting point for excursions and walks, considering that various paths start from Campigna. In particular, right next to the Information point is the ‘Sentiero Natura’ (nature path through silver fir and pine woods) which runs through one of the most attractive pine woods in the park, and the easily-accessible and well-equipped path (well-trodden routes and signs in braille) called ‘Un sentiero per tutti….i sensi’ (A path for all…the senses).This path comes out at the ‘Viale del Granduca di Campigna’ road and joins 10 linked places along a 350m route. Not far from the Information point is the Forest Museum dedicated to Guido Campadelli.
Places to visit nearby: The wonderful plains of ‘S. Paolo in Alpe’, situated on the ridge that divides the valleys of the ‘Bidente di Ridracoli’ and the ‘Bidente di Campigna’; ‘Monte Falterona’ and ‘Monte Falco’; Corniolo, a small mountain village where you can admire a big 16th century altarpiece by Giovanni Della Robbia in the parish church. Around three kilometres from Corniolo, the ‘Giardino Botanico di Valbonella’ (botanical garden) is worth seeing.
Via Centro- Campigna
Tel. 346.6031097
MONTH | OPENING TIMES |
June | Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 17.00 |
July | Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. & Holidays 10.00 - 17.00 |
August | Tues. Wed. Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun & holidays 10.00 - 17.00 |
September | Sat. Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 17.00 |
Camaldoli and Ornithological Museum
Camaldoli and Ornithological Museum
Camaldoli Information Point and Ornithological Museum
The Park Information Point is situated in the wonderful and emotive landscape of the Forest of Camaldoli, and you can you can pick up information leaflets, buy publications and gadgets about the park and book excursions here.
Inside you can visit the Ornithological Museum, which holds the precious ‘Biggeri’ collection, and is furnished with exhibition displays and educational material. At Camaldoli you can visit two attractive religious structuress immersed in the forest: The Sacred Hermitage and Monastery. Both are expressions of the rules of St. Romualdo, founder of the Camaldolese order in the 11th century, and emit from one side the isolation of a hermit (Hermitage) and from the other side the monastic life of the Benedictine order (Monastery). You should visit the ‘Sentiero Natura’ (Nature Path), which winds its way through the woods around the Monastery. The wood is the central theme of this route: From the silver fir, symbol of Camaldoli, to the huge Miraglia chestnut tree. Nearby you can visit: the Archeological Museum of Partina, The 12th century Castle of Serravalle, and the 10th century church of ‘S. Maria Assunta’ at Badia Prataglia.
52010 - Loc. Camaldoli
tel. 0575.556130
cv.camaldoli@parcoforestecasentinesi.it
MONTH | OPENING HOURS |
April | Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 13.00 |
May | Sat. Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 13.00 |
June | Sat. Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 13.00 (also open on 1st) |
July | Everyday 10.00 - 13.00 / 15.00 - 18.00 |
August | Everyday 10.00 - 13.00 / 15.00 - 18.00 |
September | Sat. Sun. 10.00-13.00 |
October | Fri. Sat. Sun. 10.00-13.00 |
November | Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 13.00 |
December | Sun. & holidays 10.00 - 13.00 (Closed 25th, open 7th & 31st) |
Chiusi della Verna
Chiusi della Verna
Chiusi della Verna
From the Sanctuary you can follow the nature, history and spirituality themed ‘Sentiero Natura’ (Nature Path) all the way to Monte Penna. To be visited is the ‘Santuario della Verna’, which is built on a rock on a three-part summit, immersed in the ancient forests of the park. From Chiusi della Verna, following the ‘SP 208’ road, you will reach Bibbiena where you can visit ‘Teatro Dovizi’, a typical 19th century jewel of Caentino, and the ‘Pieve dei SS. Ippolito e Donato’ near the remains of the old fortifications.
In the historic centre of Bibbiena its worth seeing the church and convent of St. Lorenzo, which houses two beautiful terracotta reliefs attributed to Andrea Della Robbia which show the ‘Adoration of the Shepherds’ and the ‘Descent from the Cross’.
Casentino Development and Tourism Consortium tel. 0575/520511 - 334/6784791
Information point c/o ‘il Santuario della Verna’
MONTH | Opening HOURS |
July | everyday 10.00 - 12.00 / 15.00 - 18.00 |
August | everyday 9.00 - 12.00 / 15.30 - 18.00 |
September | (open on 18th) 10.00 - 12.00 / 14.30 - 17.00 (open on 18th "Stigmate") |
October | (open on 4th) 10.00 - 12.00 / 14.30 - 17.00 (open on 4th "San Francesco") |