Montecreto: Fortress, Chestnut Grove and Mountain Trails

The Oratorio della Madonna del Trogolino is an 18th-century building that preserves the famous image of the Madonna del Trogolino, painted on a copper plate. It also houses an organ made in 1873 by Don Tomaso Piacentini, with a carved and decorated case. The Oratorio della Madonna delle Grazie del Trogolino, on the other hand, was built in 1628 and rebuilt in 1758. Another vivid link between architecture and history is the Ponte dei Leoni: the bridge dates from the early 18th century, is 117 metres long, has three sandstone arches and is decorated with four lion statues.

Museums, Mining and Local Tradition

The “La Casa dei Leoni di Pietra” Museum is devoted in three sections to the local history of Montecreto and its surroundings. The tour covers topics ranging from the war history of Frignano and the history of the “Leonardo da Vinci” training centre to an archaeological-historical section. Finds from prehistoric, Celtic, Roman and medieval times are on display.

The Montecreto mines form an archaeological and mining-history area that was recognised as a geosite in 2022. They include, among others, the Miniera di Cà Gabriele and the Miniera di Cà Marsilio. The better-preserved Miniera di Cà Marsilio contains evidence of mining from Roman and medieval times. The Parco dei Castagni in the centre of Montecreto represents a combination of landscape and local tradition: the centuries-old chestnut grove is home to an old chestnut drying house and the Mulino delle Belle addormentate mill. Both are used for events and festivals and keep the tradition of chestnut processing alive. The Festa della Castagna takes place in Montecreto in October.

Hiking Trails, Pilgrim Routes and Nature

Montecreto lies in the Parco Regionale dell’Appennino modenese and in the Cimone ski area and landscape region. Several paths provide access to this area in different ways. The Via Romea Germanica Imperiale passes through Montecreto and has been rediscovered as a pilgrim path or pilgrimage route. The Cammino di San Bartolomeo is a walking route that connects several places dedicated to the saint in Emilia and Tuscany, including Montecreto. The CAI 455 hiking trail and side roads are also part of a hiking route in Montecreto.

The Anello di Monte Penna circular route in Acquaria is approximately 6 km long. It combines a trekking route with the history of an important event in the partisan resistance; 13 panels explain the history of the site and this event. The Far West circular hiking trail runs for approximately 8 km from Lago della Ninfa in Sestola to Monte Cervarola in Montecreto and is also suitable for children. Another option begins at Montecreto’s sulphur spring: from there, the hike can continue along the path towards the San Michele foothills. The spring can be reached from the town centre via a path of approximately 2.5 km that is suitable for everyone.

The Natural Bike Park di Montecreto also has a clear focus. It offers five completely natural mountain-bike trails; access is via the Stellaro cable car or the Via dei Monti. For winter sports, three lifts departing from the centre of Montecreto provide direct access to the Cimone ski area.

Small Destinations with Special Character

Among the distinctive landscape destinations is a small, rare lake in a hollow surrounded by beech forest. It lies a few hundred metres from the mountain station of the Stellaro chairlift departing from Montecreto. The lake is home to numerous dragonflies as well as two rare newt species: the alpine newt and the crested newt. The abandoned hamlet of Marina can be reached by car via an unpaved road from the Via Magrignana and also on foot from the mountain station of Montecreto’s Stellaro chairlift.

Those choosing a hotel or other accommodation for a trip to Montecreto can base their decision on their own priorities: the fortress, churches and museum; chestnut traditions and mining history; or hiking, cycling and winter-sports trails. The different trail lengths range from the approximately 2.5 km route to the sulphur spring, through the roughly 6 km Anello di Monte Penna, to the approximately 8 km Far West circular hiking trail.

Discover more destinations in the same travel area via Sassuolo, Madonna Della Provvidenza, Fontanaluccia, Montagnana, Soliera, Maranello, Disvetro and Sestola.

For the higher-level travel overview: Modena.