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ABETONE - CUTIGLIANO |
  
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| The "white heart" of this world is the part of the Northern Apennines overlooking the plain of Pistoia, from the Alpe delle Tre Potenze to the Acquerino. It is a typically mountain landscape, especially towards the north, and the mountain ridges are thick larch, beech and woods of tall trees. Ski-lifts climb up the highest peaks, the Alpe delle Tre Potenze, the Gomito and the Foce di Campolino. Everything is so majestic! A cable-car climbs up Monte Gomito, at 1892 metres, then the pistes lead down to the Val di Luce . Other lifts go to the Passo della Fariola or, higher up to the Alpe delle Tre Potenze. You go down towards Monte Gomito or to the Selletta, where a final lift goes up to the Foce di Campolino. There is an immense panorama on all sides! Indeed, this is inevitable, since Abetone is the most famous ski resort in the Apennines for its fine views, comparing excellently with th most famous ski resorts in the Alps. The first ski lift was installed in 1936 between Abetone and Selletta. In the fifties the great victories of the ski champion Zeno Colò increased its fame and Abetone became a fashionable winter resort. But in summer too the mountains have plenty to offer: from walks through the great woods of larch and fir to more demanding mountain excursions, staying overnight in a mountain hut. One of the most interesting treks starts off from Abetone, crosses the Libro Aperto and ends at Monte Cimone or at the Corno delle Scale, on the south face. The Libro Aperto may also be reached from Cutigliano. This is a solemn little town, combining a pride in its appearance with the secret energy of a land dedicated to tradition, the last breaths of a life that is lost elsewhere. In this limited space admirable things are to be seen and signs of its historic past are to be seen all around. The Palazzo dei Capitani della Montagna has a façade covered with coats of arms carved in stone or enamelled with brightly coloured terracotta. This was the residence of the Captains of the Mountain whose task it was to administer justice, according to the laws issued in Pistoia, throughout the Montagna Alta, that is in the territory of Cutigliano, San Marcello, Lizzano, Piteglio, Popiglio, Gavinana and Mammiano. With its splendid monumental force, its green oasis, the mighty mountains towering above it, we cannot fail to love Cutigliano. In summer a handy cable-car takes us up to Doganaccia where we can follow the paths leading to the pass of Croce Arcana, the border between Tuscany and the province of Modena. Or we may take the opposite direction, following a sheep track that takes us to the lake of Scaffaiolo, a jewel among the mountains. There is a famous ski school at Doganaccia; the ground formation is favourable, without natural obstacles, and the resort has a great many pistes with varying degrees of difficulty. On the opposite slope, Pian di Novello, once an unknown little mountain town, has discovered a vocation for tourism. There are other places worth mentioning: at Rivoreta they have founded an Ethnological Mountain Museum containing objects that have been surpassed by progress and technology and were once used for farming, professions and trades. A collection of sacred art works may be seen at Popigliano, in the sacristy of the church of Santa Maria Assunta. Further down the valley, San Marcello Pistoiese still maintains its mediaeval appearance. The Palazzo Pretorio is particularly interesting, with the Medici coat of arms on the façade, and the bell-tower of the parish church. More than for its memories, the town is renowned above all for the enchanting countryside that surrounds, it, rich in shady woods. You can go up to the astronomical Observatory and look down on the whole valley, or pause at Gaviniana, historically famous for the last defence of the Florentine Republic led by F. Ferrucci to whom a fine equestrian monument has been dedicated. Gavinana too is developing as a winter sports resort and the snow-covered pistes of Pratorsi are a tried and tested example.
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