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

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

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

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’