Surroundings
The valley of Sillano offers those who stay many opportunities to stay in contact with nature, thanks to the paths of "The Roads of Contessa," paths of the neighbors Airone, the paths of CAI and the paths of GEA (Grand Excursion Appenninica). For those who intend to make short trips, the Hotel Florida is the ideal base for reaching a number of sites of great interest in Garfagnana posts and the nearby valleys of Ozola and Secchia.
Valley of Sillano and Soraggio
According to an ancient legend, the village was founded in 102
BC by the Romans but the real development and consolidation of the
village took place during the High Middle Ages. From this age there
remains in this country and territory numerous stories. Among the
interesting sites are the Sillano Parish Church, the Church of St.
Michael, the Archangel and the Church of Rock of Soraggio.
A short distance away you can visit the villages
that dot the immense Apennine forest, enjoy the large natural areas,
and small rural architectural jewels. They are welcoming and peaceful
places in which to spend with family during quiet days of discovery.
Pradarena Path
Located just a short distance from Sillano and crossed by a Roman road that connected Garfagnana with Valle del Po’, it is a path used since ancient times. The many hospitals and hospices for pilgrims, located on both slopes, witnessed the path age. In sunny days the panorama is breath taking and overlooks the Valley Of Rossendola and of Secchia to Pietra of Bismantova, from Apuan Alps to the beautiful crests of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine. From the path you can get on foot to the peak of Mount Cavalbianco, from where you can notice traces of its glacial morphology.
The Park of Orecchiella
Built in respect to nature by local people, this Park is a clear example of all the typical features of the Apennine: crest prairies, immense beech, chestnut and oak forests, ancient pastoral settlements, old mule tracks and spectacular panorama. The three state nature reserves of Orecchiella, Lamarossa and Pania di Corfino are included in the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine. Several are the pathways that lead to the discovery of the park; among them there are the three Sentieri di Airone (Airone Paths). Centro Visitatori (The Visitors Centre) is a great attraction (only 15 minutes by car from Sillano) with diorami, museums and fences that host several animals like the bear.
The Park of the Apuane Alps
You can get there from Sillano in about 20 minutes; it is the park of the Tuscan mountains with Alpine features. Chalky spires, sheer walls, immense forests, caves that are visited by tourists, the caves of the statuesque marble of Michelangelo and a patrimony of biodiversity that makes it a paradise for botanists, speleologists, mountain climbers, hikers. Once reached the peaks, you can enjoy a spectacular panorama of the sea, from these extraordinary mountains.
Grotta del Vento
It's about one hour far from Sillano, this is the most complete cave complex open to the public in Europe and it contains an extraordinary variety of karst phenomenon. Guided through the complex by experts in caves, you can discover and admire stalactites, stalagmites, polychrome castings, alabaster drapes, underwater lakes and many unusual forms of erosion. The cave is open every day of the year except Christmas day. The temperature inside the caves is about 11°. It is advisable to bring some warm clothing and to wear sport shoes.
The fortresses of Garfagnana
Of Medieval origin, but renovated in the Renaissance, Verrucole Fortress is very fascinating, thanks to the incredible surrounding landscape and the Apuan Alps background. In a short distance you will find Castello di Sala ( or Forte di Castelvecchio) located on volcanic area where there is the confluence of the two branches of Serchio river. Built in XVI century by Duke Alfonso II d’Este, Montalfonso Fortress is a majestic building fortified by seven bulwarks, asymmetrically set. It rises over Castelnuovo Garfagnagna, the administrative main town of Garfagnana.
Hermitages and sanctuaries
The religious buildings are often set in wonderful places: from the near Santuario dell'Argegna (or Madonna della Guardia) to Eremo di San Viano framed by Alpeggio di Campocatino, in the heart of the Apuan Alps, up to Eremo di Calomini, located at the base of a sheer rock wall. All these places are in a short distance from Sillano.
The lakes
The remarkable abundance of water in Garfagnana has always been exploited to produce energy. At one time the water fed mills and factories. In the first half of the nineteenth century a series of dams were constructed which created many lakes. The landscape was enriched with new sheets of water, which created new ecosystems and new opportunities for water sports. In some cases like in Vagli, the periodic emptying of the hydroelectric basin reveals ancient settlements hidden under the water.
The cities of Art
The most famous towns Lucca (Km 64), Pisa (Km 90) e Firenze (Km 133) can be reached with a day trip (by train, too); however, towns like Pietrasanta, the centre for the working of marble and the art of sculpting -near to Forte dei Marmi and the seaside - or Barga with its beautiful Romanesque Dome, are all worth seeing.
