THE TERRITORY

VALLEYS, VILLAGES AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

The region, forming the northernmost part of Lunigiana (between the

towns of Pontremoli and Mulazzo and the mountain ridge defining the

border with Liguria and Emilia Romagna) is made up of fertile valleys

of oak, chestnut, and beech woods, combined with breathtaking

landscapes and infinite, blissful silence.

It is divided into four valleys:

Zeri Valley with the following villages:

(photo by L. Pietronave)

Patigno, Valditermine, Villaggio Aracci, Costa D’Asino, Piandelmonte,

Chiosa, Torricella,

Bergugliara, Serralunga, Fichi, Villaggio Passo Rastrello, Castello,

Coloretta, Noce, La Dolce,

Conciliara;

Adelano valley with the following villages:

(photo by E. Malachina)

Casa Rocchino, Calzavitello, Casa Bornia, Casa Maddalena, Casa Biagi,

Casa Tosi, Frandalini;

Rossano valley with the following villages:

(photo by E. Malachina)

Piagna, Castoglio, Chioso, Montelama, Chiesa, Paretola, Valle, Bosco;

Codolo valley with the following villages:

(photo by R. Scolari)

Chiesa, Mola, Cernatore, Villa di Sotto, Baraccone, Ripola.

FORMENTARA:

(photo by E. Malachina)

Situated 1.120 m. above sea level, (nearby Aracci village, on the road to

Passo Due Santi) this is an old village of pastures and stone built houses.

People from Noce and Patigno lived here during the spring and

summertime, taking care of cattle grazing openly in the vast grounds. They

grew wheat and picked the wild fruit. A little chapel within the village is

dedicated to S. Bartolomeo, whose feast day is celebrated on the last

Sunday of August.

COLOMBARA CAVE:

(photo by E. Aromando)

Heading towards Bosco di Rossano, we find the Colombara Cave. An

outstanding

natural site, it takes the name from the deep chasm where it is located.

During hot summer days it is possible to watch the dancing play of light on

the water and enjoy its cooling tranquility.

MADONNA OF LOURDES SHRINE:

(photo by A. Rubini)

Located on the provincial road, in front of Costa D’Asino village, on the

side of Gretta Hill (La

Grotta) is the Shrine similar to the famous one in France; with its own

caves and rocks. The Via Crucis,

made with mosaic style pictures to accompany you around the hill, goes up

to the summit before descending

back to the Shrine.

THE CHURCH OF SAINT JOHN THE BAPTIST AT CHIOSO OF

ROSSANO:

(photo by E. Malachina)

Located in a quiet village surrounded by meadows, in an open position, it

has a cemetery and two bells, the oldest bearing a bas-relief of the bishop,

S. Terenziano, dating from 1686. The stone door-surround dates from

1604. Inside, on the left, there is an ancient font made of stone as well as

three statues made of wood that were found at the same time: Saint John

the Baptist, S. Terenziano and Madonna of Carmine. On the baroque altar

we see the cross and there are numerous tombs beneath the floor

of the church.

THE CHURCH OF S. AGOSTINO:

(photo by E. Malachina)

The door-surround of the church dates from 1672, probably being specific to one of

the reconstructions which took place throughout the centuries. The church is part of

Patigno parish. The seventeen century bas-relief above the main door represents S.

Agostino. Inside, on the right of the main altar we find a quaint opening leading to

the sagrestia dating from 1769, while on the same side, in a niche of the minor

altar, and of outstanding beauty, is a statue carved from a single piece of wood

representing the visit of Mary to Saint Elizabeth. There are two other statues, one

representing S. Apollonia, who traditionally protects people from toothache, and the

other representing the Immaculate Conception. The balustrade around the main altar

was added later. Among the adornments are the golden canopy, the crafted plate for

the collection of alms and the enormous key still in use today to open the main door.

CASA MORI (Castoglio)

(photo by E. Malachina)

Mori house without doubt is the biggest in the territory of Zeri. There is no

exact date on the building, however it was supposed to have been built in

the fourteen century. It is a typical example of the patronal house of

Lunigiana and the main building measures 600 s.m. and 15.000 c.m.

Throughout the centuries further constructions were added, combining to

form a single block of buildings between the two roads which head

down towards: Matallo.

PASSO DUE SANTI:

(photo by E. Ferrari)

Zum Zeri – Passo Due Santi, with the snow reflected on the Tirreno sea.

Zum Zeri station – Passo dei Due Santi, is a place for those who love

skiing and the mountains in general, but also a place where you can

spend leisure time throughout the year, with events such as car and

motorcycle rallies, “gastro-tourismo”, picnics and fairs, and events

connected to the uncontaminated nature of the area. Today the skiing area

has 12 kilometres of pistes, the highest reaching 1600 m. There is also a

play area for children and there are expert skiing teachers on hand.

CASTELLO:

Photo by E. Malachina

The village gets its name from the castle that existed on top of the hill to the north of

it. Today there are few visible signs from the middle-ages. All that remains of

“Castrum Zirri” is the base of a tower, a fenced wall and green-coloured stones that

rolled to the bottom of the hill, in the place called “Aravecchia”.The historian

Manfredo Giuliani stated that in 1226 troops from Piacenza and Malaspina

tried to conquer the castle without success. Instead, legend tells that once, the castle

belonged to the Malaspina family and the last of that dynasty was killed at the hands

of a man from the “Osti” family. The legend tells that a young woman was getting

married and cried with despair because the Malaspina’s Lord wanted to exercise the

right of what was called “ius primae noctis”. So, the girl’s father waited until eleven

o’clock in the morning, and when the Lord opened a window of the castle to get some

sun, he shot him, firing from the “Cerro degli Spen”. The tale also tells that

sometimes during the night witches dance nearby.