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Molazzana

Molazzana

enveloped by the peaks of the Apuan Alps with its villages and boundless landscapes

The territory of Molazzana stretches between the 1859 meters above sea level of Pania Croce, the Queen of the Apuan Alps, and the banks of the river Serchio. From mountain to valley, the municipality is rich in unusual landscapes and views that are striking for their vastness, ranging from the mountains to the sea. Characterizing this territory, stands the profile of the Omo Morto, the stone giant formed by the peaks of the Puntone di mezzo alla roccia, the nose, the Pania della Croce, the belly, the pizzo delle Saette, the feet. 

 

What to see in and around Molazzana

The main town, Molazzana, lying halfway up the coast on a privileged position, is built around the remains of a 15th-century Este castle and, in the old school, houses the Museo Linea Gotica Garfagnana (Garfagnana Gothic Line Museum), which is also linked to itineraries on the military posts of Grottorotondo. 

The area, as indeed are all the mountains of the Garfagnana, is a paradise for mountaineers and hikers, but also for speleologists, thanks to the numerous caves and chasms on the Vetricia plateau, such as the 316-meter-deep Revel abyss, which for years held the world record for single drop vertical. 

Just below Pania, Alpe di S. Antonio is the municipality's highest elevation hamlet, an ancient alpine pasture at 800 meters above sea level, an oasis of peace, beloved by Fosco Maraini, Italian anthropologist, mountaineer, photographer, writer and poet, who chose to rest here forever. 

Descending we find the villages of Eglio and Sassi where, on a bold panoramic position we find the ancient Church of San Frediano with its bell tower, built on an older fortress destroyed in 1370. Also characteristic is the small Church of the Madonna della Neve, which is located on the road that connects Sassi with the rural core of Granciglia and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. 

Brucciano, instead, is located on the road that leads through Calomini and Vergemoli to the Grotta del Vento via a narrow scenic road. Finally, Cascio is one of the few remaining examples of a fortified village, with mighty walls, gates and towers dating back to 1615. The village is connected to Molazzana by a beautiful mule track that passes by the mills of Vescherana, part of the Via del Volto Santo. Inside the parish church dedicated to San Lorenzo, a terracotta of Madonna with Child by Benedetto da Maiano. 

The main town, Molazzana, lying halfway up the coast on a privileged position, is built around the remains of a 15th-century Este castle and, in the old school, houses the Museo Linea Gotica Garfagnana (Garfagnana Gothic Line Museum), which is also linked to itineraries on the military posts of Grottorotondo. 

The area, as indeed are all the mountains of the Garfagnana, is a paradise for mountaineers and hikers, but also for speleologists, thanks to the numerous caves and chasms on the Vetricia plateau, such as the 316-meter-deep Revel abyss, which for years held the world record for single drop vertical. 

Just below Pania, Alpe di S. Antonio is the municipality's highest elevation hamlet, an ancient alpine pasture at 800 meters above sea level, an oasis of peace, beloved by Fosco Maraini, Italian anthropologist, mountaineer, photographer, writer and poet, who chose to rest here forever. 

Descending we find the villages of Eglio and Sassi where, on a bold panoramic position we find the ancient Church of San Frediano with its bell tower, built on an older fortress destroyed in 1370. Also characteristic is the small Church of the Madonna della Neve, which is located on the road that connects Sassi with the rural core of Granciglia and Castelnuovo di Garfagnana. 

Brucciano, instead, is located on the road that leads through Calomini and Vergemoli to the Grotta del Vento via a narrow scenic road. Finally, Cascio is one of the few remaining examples of a fortified village, with mighty walls, gates and towers dating back to 1615. The village is connected to Molazzana by a beautiful mule track that passes by the mills of Vescherana, part of the Via del Volto Santo. Inside the parish church dedicated to San Lorenzo, a terracotta of Madonna with Child by Benedetto da Maiano. 

Typical dishes

The village of Cascio ties its name to a wine and food excellence of Garfagnana: the Criscioletta, a large waffle similar to the "necci" (small-sized pastries made with chestnut flour and water) prepared with maize flour, durum flour and water and celebrated in the village festival established in 1969 in honor of the patron saint. 

 

The village of Cascio ties its name to a wine and food excellence of Garfagnana: the Criscioletta, a large waffle similar to the "necci" (small-sized pastries made with chestnut flour and water) prepared with maize flour, durum flour and water and celebrated in the village festival established in 1969 in honor of the patron saint. 

 

Garfagnana and the Mid Serchio Valley