Discover Collagna: Village History and Architecture
Accommodation in Collagna
Collagna combines a compact village layout typical of higher-altitude Apennine villages with distinctive architectural forms and chestnut-covered slopes. If you are considering the village as a possible base for accommodation, you can take these different aspects as your guide: the history and architecture of the main village, the landscape, or the activities on offer.
File:Scalucchia - Collagna, Ventasso, Reggio Emilia, Italy - November 1, 2020.jpg
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Architectural History and Village Character
At the center is Corte Pallai, a building complex commissioned by the Caneri family in 1500. The Caneri family’s fortress was also located in the center and could be accessed through four large gates. Together, the two buildings point to the village’s history, while remaining distinct features of Collagna’s built environment.
A partially preserved tower house in the center retains a large dovecote. Its features include a central rosette, stone string courses, and framed windows. These details give the building a clearly defined architectural profile. The lower Borgo also contains stones dated to the 16th century, horse tethering rings, coats of arms, and marble icons from the Apuan Alps.
The courtyard house with its paved inner courtyards is considered Collagna’s most significant architectural form. The village’s character thus ranges from individual façade details to a building type defined by its courtyard. Next to the church is the chapel of Beata Vergine del Carmelo. It was built in 1633 during the plague.
Mills and Chestnut-Covered Slopes
The two mills can also be distinguished by their locations: the 17th-century Mulino di Collagna stands beside the state road. Mulino di Secchia can be seen below the settlement on the left bank of the River Secchia.
The slopes around Collagna are covered with dense chestnut forests with trees that are centuries old. The landscape also includes metati and dry-stone walls. Thus, structures such as mills and courtyard houses stand within an environment shaped by chestnut forests. If you want to get a sense of Collagna, this combination offers a view of the village through both its architecture and its landscape.
Getting Around and Activities
The SS 63 runs through the entire length of the municipality of Collagna. In the main village, it divides the older part, located downhill, from the newer part, located uphill. Collagna also has an ACT bus service; the line ends in Cerreto Laghi. If you are factoring the bus into your plans, check the current timetable.
For outdoor exercise in the village, there is the Percorso Vita Collagna, with wooden exercise equipment and signs describing the exercises. Another option is the Giro dei tre Passi: the route starts in the center and turns right onto an unpaved road after 400 meters. The two options therefore offer different points of reference: the Percorso Vita has equipment and exercise descriptions, while the Giro dei tre Passi has a start point and a described route.
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Novellara, Rolo, Rubiera, Gattatico, Il Cantone di Pieve Modolena, Castellarano, Fogliano, Castelnovo Ne' Monti.
For the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.
