Shepherds’ Delight

A new footpath, the ‘alta via dei pastori’ (the shepherds’ high way), was officially inaugurated at San Cassiano di Controni last Saturday in the presence of a considerable audience. Speeches were made by various key figures in the project including Aldo Lanini of ‘Pegaso trekking’, Roberto Ragghianti of Jurassic Mountain Bikes association, David Bonaventuri, photographer, and Bagni’s Mayor Michelini. Although the Italian habit of delivering a host of speeches inaugurating events can become tiresome I have to say that this time the speeches were very informative and gave an excellent picture of the considerable project which has been finally realised.

The noticeboard at the start of the footpath was then unveiled. It’s in both Italian and English (translated by Paul Anthony Davies, professional photographer and major participant in several projects at San Cassiano where he resides). As you can see from the map the footpath is an ‘anello’, or a ring route, which is best done in a clockwise direction. Most of us know the way to the top of the Prato Fiorito – the lovely whale-backed mountain lording it over Bagni di Lucca and the Controneria – from Foce al Lago, where the Cross has recently been excellently restored by local firm, Fontanelli. 1However, the new shepherds’’ highway shows a different aspect of the mountain from the usual picture one has of it as opening out on extensive turfed expanses. In fact, the Prato Fiorito has large tracts of rugged dolomitic rock formation with some very alpine flora indeed.

Today, an inordinate amount of rain has prevented us, not only from tackling the Prato Fiorito but also from attending the ‘Palio dei Micci’ at Querceta, one of Tuscany’s major events; a pageantry of mediaeval and renaissance costumes with flag-waving acrobatics from the ‘sbandieratori’ announcing the six-circuit race of the ‘micci’, local dialect term for donkeys. Indeed, the Palio is an elaborate Italian take on the traditional English ‘donkey derby’. Regrettably, the rain washed away one full year of preparations and we could only enjoy the Palio dei micci by viewing the film made by our local station, NOI TV, last year.

Here it is:

The good news is that the Palio dei Micci was only postponed and it will take place next Sunday from 10.00 with the main race at 16.00.

A week of improved weather is promised and, I am sure, we will decide to explore those sections of the Alta via dei pastori’ which we have not yet traversed. A future post will illustrate our trek, no doubt.

In the meanwhile you can read all about the Prato Fiorito, its satanic rites and its inspiration for Shelley in my posts at:

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/06/22/bewitching-flowering-meadow/

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/07/01/druids-witches-hot-coals-and-a-tug-of-war/

https://longoio.wordpress.com/2013/06/07/the-elysian-fields-of-prato-fiorito/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2015/07/07/witches-sabbath/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/a-perfect-shelleyan-day/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2016/05/17/if-there-is-a-heaven-it-is-here/

https://longoio2.wordpress.com/2017/05/18/elysium-on-earth/

https://longoio3.com/2018/02/17/an-icy-walk-in-the-appennines/

https://longoio3.com/2018/05/18/bagni-di-luccas-elysian-fields/

https://longoio3.com/2018/06/24/did-lord-byron-vandalise-our-prato-fiorito/

https://longoio3.com/2019/05/01/the-shepherds-high-way/