:: EP064 ::

Baiso ( 540 meters )
The name originates from the fact that the area was the feudal possession of the Da Baiso family. The Municipality is located in a panoramic area overlooking on one side the Tresainaro valley and on the other the Secchia valley. The castle and church of San Lorenzo date from the 12th century. In the Municipality, hamlets such as Visignolo and Colombaia have fine examples of ‘case a torre’ (tower- shaped houses) dating back to the 16th century. Today the production of Parmigano Reggiano (Parmesan cheese) is still the driving force of the local economy although the production of ceramic tiles also makes a contribution to the wealth of the area. It is not by accident that clay quarries are found in the area, providing the raw materials needed for the ceramics.

Busana ( 850 meters )
Dating back to Roman times, Busana was an area noted for water mills and beautiful chestnut woods. The village of Cervarezza is renowned as a thermal spa and is also home to the Parco Flora with the Santa Lucia thermal springs. Every year at the end of July a traditional pilgrimage takes place to the chapel of Santa Maria Maddalena, found on the slopes of Mount Ventasso at 1,500 meters . 

Carpineti ( 562 meters )
Carpineti is situated at the foot of the ridge that divides the Secchia valley from the Tresinaro valley and in the last few decades has become an important health resort and tourist attraction. Queen Matilde’s castle, recently restored and open to the public, looks down from its hill onto the chestnut woods and middle ranges of the Apennines. The area is a haven for those seeking peace and tranquillity and is also of interest architecturally, having more than forty tower-shaped houses scattered in the many villages of the Municipality such as Romagano and Saccaggio. There is Marola, with its restored Abbey, which is well worth a visit and the Romanesque church of Saint Andrea.

Canossa ( 219 meters )
Canossa is historically the most important commune of the Province; it is the home of the medieval castle of Queen Matilde whose family dominated the region from the 11th Century to midway through the 15th Century. The castle is the focal point of the community and of great interest to tourists. Recent excavations have revealed that what remains of the castle, although still magnificent, is just a portion of what Henry IV saw as he endured three days and nights in the open as a penance, before being granted an audience with Pope Gregory VII, who revoked the order of excommunication, mainly due to Matilde’s diplomacy. Close by the castle of Canossa is another, Rossena, perched high on a volcanic outcrop, which today is used as a hostel for small groups who wish to ‘live the medieval experience’. The Rossenella Tower also forms part of the defence line created by Queen Matilde. Incredibly there is also a Tibetan cultural centre in Votigno, which is worth visiting. The area is also known for its tower-shaped houses, old mills, small ancient churches and stone houses, all of which draw the more discerning tourist.

Montefiorino ( 800 meters )
Located at a height of 800 metres above sea level, Montefiorino is regarded as the capital of the Modenese Mountains . Set within a sub-group of mountains, it overlooks the historic Secchia Valley , while if one looks westward; the panoramic vista that is Reggio Emilia can be seen.  Straddling the road, colloquially known as ‘Mathilde’s Path’, the centre of Montefiorino is dominated by the ‘ Poggio Tower ’ a remarkably and beautifully crafted medieval citadel.  The main part of the tower dates from medieval times, though the lesser, but no less historically significant chapel of Zorbini is of more recent origin.  However, the most historically important building in the area is the beautifully preserved Roman church at Rubbiamo, which is only a few kms from Montefiorino.  During World War II, Montefiorino distinguished itself as the first of the Italian provinces to organise itself as a Partisan Republic within occupied Italy and Montefiorino’s Republic Museum is dedicated to this important historic fact.    The whole area, which is criss-crossed by the fast-flowing Dolo and Dragone rivers, present a breath-taking mixture of mountains, forests and alpine fields.

Castelnovo Ne’ Monti ( 702 m )
This town is recognised as the major town in the Reggiano Apennines with its modern hospital, new well-equipped schools and institutes and attractive hotels. The level of services and the modern infrastructure ensures that it can provide the most up to date technology, everything from ADSL broadband to computer consultancy. However, it still retains its traditional industries such as Capanni’s Bell Foundry, famous throughout the world for the quality of its products. The town has recently reopened its theatre, which also provides a first class cinema.The jewel in the crown as far as Castelnovo né Monti is concerned is the magnificent Bismantova sandstone plateau. It forms the backdrop for the town and really captures the tranquil beauty of the Apennine Mountains. Minutes away from the ski resorts of Appenninia, Ospitaletto, Ventasso and Febbio, it is an area which boasts a rich diversity of flora and fauna and offers numerous facilities and attractions: mountaineering, cycling, fishing, pot-holing, canoeing and horse riding to name but a few.

Ligonchio ( 1100 meters )
Ligonchio is the highest Municipality in the region, on the road to the Pradarena pass, which like the Cerreto pass has been used by travellers for millennia. Its most important resource is water, from which hydro-electricity is generated. Although many of the centres have closed in recent years, one or two still remain open. One of the most noted hamlets of the Municipality is Ospitaletto, reputedly founded as a hospital for pilgrims by Queen Matilde di Canossa and is now an excellent family-orientated ski resort. Ligonchio also offers very interesting hiking trails, especially the ones leading to the Ozola Forest, Sara Meadows and to the Lavvacchiello Falls.

Collagna ( 1000 meters )
Collagna is first mentioned in 1153 as a refuge for the many pilgrims travelling further south towards Rome. Today it welcomes visitors all year round for skiing in the winter and for the myriad of sports and leisure activities available in the summer. Or if you just feel like taking a gentle stroll in the mountains that is catered for too!Collagna is the gateway to Tuscany by taking the SS63 road, which leads you through the awesome panoramas of the Gigante National Park, passing Lakes Scuro and Cerretano on the way to the Cerreto Pass and into Tuscany. The area is noted for majestic mountain ranges such as La Nuda and Casarolo and by the beauty of the valleys such as Fonti di Secchia, Riarbero and Schiocchi.

Ramiseto ( 865 meters )
The third mountain pass that takes the visitor into Tuscany is the Passo del Lagastrello, found on the right bank of the River Enza in the Municipality of Ramiseto. The area offers visitors wonderful excursions to Mount Succiso, Mount Acuto, Lake Calamone and in particular Mount Ventasso, which is a popular and picturesque ski resort and well worth a visit.Locally the buildings are typical of the mountains.  Built in stone with many having marble features, which probably came from Massa Carrara across the Emilian-Tuscan border. The stonecutters that brought their craftsmanship took refuge here and passed their skills from generation to generation.

Toano ( 842 meters )

First mentioned in 907,Toano is a natural marvel lying on a ridge, which separates the Dolo and Secchia valleys.  When it became Queen Matilde’s property in the second half of the 11th Century it developed in terms of agriculture and architecture. The church of Queen Matilde’s castle, dedicated to Santa Maria, is one of the finest and best preserved religious buildings of the whole Apennine territory. Much more recently, the Ceccatis, who were renowned local wood artists, carved a magnificent wooden altar inside the chapel of the ‘Madonna della Neve’ in Cavola, the Municipality’s largest village.

A mineral water spring at Quara is known to have been used by the Romans and other historical points of interest in the area are the bell tower at Corneto and the superb stone relief in the church of S.Michele Archanloin Massa depicting the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. An enjoyable event in Toano is the annual competition called ‘Ruzzola’ where the competitors complete a course whilst throwing a large round disc by means of a rope; the winner is the person who completes the course in the least number of throws!

The area is also noted for its beautiful Apennine woods with their fields of bluebells while the snowcapped peaks of Mount Cusna and Mount Prampa offer tranquillity and natural beauty that is truly breathtaking. The ski slopes of Febbio are a short distance away and the area has many family run Pizzerias and restaurants where gastronomic delights await you.

Villa Minozzo ( 800 meters )

The largest Municipality in the region stretching from the Secchio valley to the top of Mount Cusna, which at 2121 meters is the highest peak in the Apennines. The Municipality is made up of four valleys: the Dolo, Asta, Lucola and Rio Re’s. The unpolluted environments of these valleys, the rich diversity of the flora and fauna and the snow-capped mountains make this a first class location for people who enjoy active tourism. Historical documents mention Villa Minozzo in the 9th Century and since that time it has passed from the hands of one noble family to another.

The Municipality has many stunning local features worth visiting: the church at Minozzo is one of the oldest in the region, the hamlets of Civago, Gazzano, Febbio, Roncopianigi and Monteorsaro are dedicated to both winter and summer tourism, due largely to the resorts at Freebie and Civago and the opportunities for excursions to the Abetina Reale, where you can enjoy a leisurely break by eating lunch at the wonderful restaurant there. Abetina Reale also provides camping facilities next to a waterfall, which, in the summer, is popular for obvious reasons. At Gova the arched Cadignano Bridge dates from the 17th century, while the mountain refuge of Signor Battisti is a unique experience in itself.

At a lower level the Triassic Secchio valley is a rich environment of caves, thermal springs, such as those found at Poiano, and lush grazing which is why the area is at the very heart of Parmesan cheese production.