Badia Prataglia between Forest Trails and Culture

Badia Prataglia combines paths through nature with a remarkable monastic history, regional traditions and vivid insights into the Apennine landscape. If you would like to shape your stay around different interests, you will find short routes here as well as topics related to forests, flora and fauna, an old church and local tastings.

Trails for Different Day Plans

The Sentiero dei Castelletti is a permanent trail that helps visitors explore Badia Prataglia. A separate, clearly described option is the low-barrier walking trail Un sentiero per Sonia. It begins in Il Capanno near Badia Prataglia, is approximately 0.4 kilometres long and takes about 15 minutes. This makes it possible to include a short excursion in your stay without having to plan a longer route.

The Sentiero Sonia is described as having a gravel surface, being suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, and featuring a handrail for guidance and support. Small, level rest areas complement the route. Braille panels explain the flora and fauna, making nature observation accessible through an additional sensory dimension.

Forest, Animals and the Apennine Landscape

The Sentiero Natura runs between Badia Prataglia and the Eremo di Camaldoli. Its focus is the beech forest and its inhabitants. These include beech, silver fir and sycamore, as well as newts and salamanders. The trail thus combines a tangible experience of the landscape with the question of which plants and animals shape this forest.

The Museo Forestale Carlo Siemoni continues this theme indoors. On display are images and large-format photographs of the Apennines' flora and fauna, a geological model, reconstructed natural habitats, a xylotheque and taxidermied mammal specimens from the Apennines. At the Arboreto Carlo Siemoni, on the other hand, you can see the results of a historic experimental site: Siemoni established it in the mid-19th century to test and acclimatise exotic and native forest plants, as well as numerous old trees.

Staff from the Reparto Biodiversità di Pratovecchio organise guided tours on certain days and at specific times. Guided tours for groups and school classes are also available on request. The exact times therefore form part of the individual planning and should not be taken for granted.

Monastic History and Local Tradition

The Chiesa di Santa Maria is the old abbey church associated with the origins of Badia Prataglia. Its crypt is supported by columns topped with reused capitals from Roman times. The site is therefore not only a historical point of reference, but also shows how older building elements were reused throughout the history of the building.

Another side of the local character is revealed by La Mangialonga. This annual tradition consists of a gastronomic walking tour with tastings of local dishes and products. Thus, alongside forest trails, the museum and the church, regional flavours also take centre stage. For planning the rest of your journey, Camaldoli is also available to you.

For the overarching travel overview: Poppi.