The best dog-friendly hikes and walks around Park of the Modenese Apennine

Very beautiful tour with wonderful views of the Apennines, long but easy trail

One day, among the mountain pastures, two young shepherds were helped by the miraculous intervention of the Madonna. After the apparition, an image was found hanging on a beech tree and they wanted to transport it down to the village, to honor it properly. Miraculously the next day, the sacred image was found again on the beech tree. Tradition has it that the image was discovered in 1672 and still today, on July 26th of each year, a festival is celebrated in its honor. (Source: https://castellomanservisi.it/wordpress/il-santuario-della-madonna-del-faggio/ )

The church, of 18th-century origin, is simple but very charming. Over the centuries, some architectural elements were added, such as the portico, the bell tower from 1837, an access bridge, and a fountain with a statue. (Source: https://viviappennino.com/santuario-della-madonna-del-faggio/ )

Among the mountain pastures, one day, two young shepherds were helped by the miraculous intervention of the Madonna. After the apparition, an image was found hanging on a beech tree and it was decided to transport it to the valley, to the village, to honor it properly. Miraculously, the next day, the sacred image was found again on the beech tree. Tradition has it that the image was discovered in 1672 and still today, on July 26th of each year, a festival is celebrated in its honor. The birth of the Sanctuary itself dates back to 1722; initially its name was Madonna del Rio Scorticato, from the location where it had arisen. From its origins, it established itself as an important center of religious and devotional life. From 1756, a tradition similar to that of Bologna's Madonna di San Luca began: a procession to carry the sacred image from the Sanctuary to Castelluccio. A peculiarity of the Madonna del Faggio was the presence of the so-called "romitto", a hermit who, residing in the small rectory of the Sanctuary, called precisely romittorio, represented its true custodian, controlling and preserving the church from any possible damage. Since 1964 this figure no longer exists. (Source: https://castellomanservisi.it/wordpress/il-santuario-della-madonna-del-faggio/ )

From the mill, one can today admire the imposing building, while the water flow systems are now largely buried. However, the inlet and outlet mouths, and the structure of the "bottaccio" where the river waters accumulated, can still be easily recognized. ... The mill was used for grinding chestnuts and cereals, precisely by the inhabitants of this village who reached it by crossing the bridge that still connects the two sides today. On July 26th of each year, the inhabitants of Monteacuto passed by the mill, descending in procession to reach the "casone della benedizione" where they received the effigy of the Madonna from the Castelluccesi, which was then taken to the nearby sanctuary of the Madonna del faggio. The mill and the sanctuary are also connected by a beautiful path that runs along the Baricello stream.

The Squaglia mill has been owned by the Lenzi family since 1960, the sculptor Giorgio Lenzi bought it together with a family from Padua (Volpini). Giorgio Lenzi, a great lover of the place and knowledgeable about the surroundings, particularly loved this magical spot. Over the years, he left it intact, with its millstones and all the original furnishings. (Source: https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/mulino-della-squaglia?ldc )

The medieval village, still perfectly preserved today, stands perched on a tiny knoll overlooking the Silla valley, straddling the Silla stream on one side and the Baricello stream on the other. Walking through the internal cobblestone streets, which remain in medieval style, the mind goes back to the past and it is possible to still feel the presence of Matilde di Canossa. Here, in fact, stood a strategically important castle, so much so that in 1298, it was required that the representatives of Monte Acuto be present at the signing of the peace treaty between Bologna and Pistoia. It is certainly the most evocative and characteristic village in the area, wonderfully preserved, and offers the visitor the double pleasure of a journey back in time and a dive into the stunning panorama enjoyed from its walls. In the upper part of the village, reachable only on foot, is the church of San Nicolò, dating back to around the 17th century.... One cannot fail to drink a sip of pure water at the fountain of Poli (the one who first brought water to the village), located in the center of the small church square, and then continue with a visit to the ancient washhouse "I Pozzi" (an 1800s pietra serena artifact still used by the village women). (Source: https://www.cornoallescale.net/localita/monteacuto-delle-alpi )

Small hamlet of Orsigna