Old Park full of centuries old Chestnut trees
The Filetto Chestnut Grove is today used by the local people as a recreational park, on one of the roads that surrounds it, the annual Saint Genesio fair takes place, one of the oldest crafts and cattle fairs in Lunigiana, which since it started in the17th century has been a meeting and exchange spot: the shepherds came down from the mountains to buy objects for daily use and sell their products, from cheeses to wool to cattle, thus attracting people from all over Lunigiana.
The Filetto Chestnut Grove is also the starting point of the Castagna Bike, the most important sporting event in Lunigiana.
Where is the Filetto Chestnut Grove located?
The Filetto Chestnut Grove can be found just outside the medieval village of the same name, in the comune di Villafranca in Lunigiana. It is surrounded by some buildings such as the famous Madonna Bar and the swimming pools of the Borough of Villafranca.
Ideal for picnics and families.
Historical News
It is said that, in ancient times, tribal festivals used to take place in this splendid Grove full of centuries old chestnut trees. The legend is strengthened by the discovery of 11 stele statues.
Over the years, some hypotheses related to the Supreme Poet have been made: it is believed that the famous engraving of Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy “Midway upon the journey of our life / I found myself within a dark forest: / for the straight forward pathway had been lost” had been inspired by the Filetto Grove during the Poet’s stay in Lunigiana as a guest of the Marquises Malaspina family, who ruled Lunigiana in the past for almost 1000 years. There is no proof regarding this hypothesis, the only thing we know for certain is that Dante wrote the eighth verse of Purgatory in Mulazzo.
Nearby you will find
Borgo medievale di Filetto, Borgo di Villafranca, Museo Etnografico della Lunigiana, Castello di Malgrate, Borgo di Bagnone.
