AssaporAppennino - The Pilgrims' Paths - Via di LINARI

The Pilgrims' Paths - Via di LINARI

Even today between the Parma and Enza valleys traces of the ancient paths that climbed and crossed the Apennine ridge linking the various slopes and nearby valleys can still be found

The Via Di Linari is a historic path that reaches Tuscany crossing over the Lagastrello Pass. It gets its name from the Linari abbey, the remains of which can still be found near Mount Malpasso and testify the vast importance the abbey once held.

The route is scattered with similar religious institutions and the use of this route to transport salt to the city of Parma was documented as early as the 13th century.

Via Linari has now been opened up again, divided into eight points of interest. Firstly following the Parma river you encounter the magnificent Torrechiara castle with its Benedictine monastery, which also marks the north-western entrance to the Tosco- Emiliano Apennine Unesco biosphere reserve. Crossing the river you reach the important Cavana Abbey that leads to the Parmossa valley. Finally, following the via La Costa and Tizzano, you descend into the Enza valley.

Continuing up the trail leads to the Valli dei Cavalieri where the memory of the consortium of knights that formed a sort of feudal lordship under the control of various branches of the Vallisnera family is revived. This consortium, where as in any clan system various families of vassals exerted their control, gave the name to the terrae militum (knights’ lands) and among other things, provided the Municipality of Parma with horses for war. It then became the vallis militum and then the Valli de’ Cavalieri (Knights’ Valley); the ancient name which it is still called today.

On arriving at Malpasso, the ancient name of the Pass we today call Lagastrello, the pilgrims faced the journey that would then take them to Rome, passing along the Taverone stream to Aulla or as it was then called, Aguilla, the 31st stop along the Via Francigena). Among the local people of the valley, the Cult of the Holy Face of Lucca was very strong and they could reach it via Comano in direction Fivizzano. One of them, or better, the image of one of them is still visible today carved in stone at the Rimagna Chapel. It depicts the image of the medieval pilgrim wearing the typical pilgrim garments and carrying a staff, completed by the word PELIGR[INUS].

Assapora Appennino Group provides information on the itinerary and at Torrechiara's Information Point, in Piazza Leoni n.2, the pilgrim’s credentials are readily available.