From the Rocca di Castrocaro to the Acquacheta Waterfall, passing through medieval villages rich in charm and tradition, a journey through ancient fortresses, breathtaking views and authentic flavors, in the places that were so dear to Dante Alighieri during his exile from Florence.
Our day begins with a visit to the town of Castrocaro Terme: we stroll through the ancient walls, enjoying a coffee in one of the historic squares of the village before visiting the suggestive Rocca di Castrocaro, an extraordinary example of medieval fortified architecture.
Once inside, we climb up to the Torre Guelfa – also known as Torre delle Segrete – from which you can admire a breathtaking view that embraces the castle of Monte Poggiolo to the north, Terra del Sole and Forlì to the east, until you glimpse Ravenna and the blue of the Adriatic. If you travel in spring, you might be lucky enough to come across Tesori Aperti, an event that celebrates the historical and cultural heritage of Castrocaro Terme and the nearby Terra del Sole: a unique opportunity to visit places that are usually inaccessible and discover their beauty and history.
We then continue towards Dovadola, a charming village dominated by its fortress, stopping in a local trattoria to taste one of the excellences of this town: truffles.
After lunch, we go up to the Hermitage of Monte Paolo, linked to the figure of Saint Anthony of Padua, who had his first Italian residence here between 1221 and 1222. Located in an isolated position, 7 km from the town and at an altitude of 425 meters above sea level, the Sanctuary is the arrival and passage point of many historical paths, including that of Dante, which follows the footsteps of the Supreme Poet between Florence and Ravenna.
After this break in the middle of nature, we head towards Rocca San Casciano to stroll through its picturesque historic center, stopping in the small square for a snack. We then continue towards Portico di Romagna, a charming village with paved alleys and historic buildings, where we visit Palazzo Portinari, which according to tradition belonged to the family of Beatrice, Dante's muse.
The village has maintained its medieval layout and is divided into three levels: the upper part with the castle and the parish church; the intermediate one with the noble palaces, once a refuge for families from Romagna and Tuscany fleeing political struggles; and the lower part, where the homes of artisans and the common population were located.
We end the day with a visit to the suggestive “Vulcanino” of Monte Busca, the smallest volcano in Italy, reachable by car from Portico along the Strada Provinciale 22. In reality, it is a burning fountain, a natural phenomenon due to the emanation of hydrocarbon gases that, in contact with oxygen, ignite spontaneously, creating a magical and surreal atmosphere, especially at sunset.
For dinner, choose a typical restaurant where you can taste the authentic flavors of Romagna, then spend the night in one of the many structures in the area.
We begin the day with a visit to the charming Borgo di Bocconi, with its stone houses and the ancient Ponte della Brusia, dating back to the medieval period.
We then continue towards San Benedetto in Alpe, the starting point for a beautiful and well-known excursion: trekking to the Acquacheta Waterfall, one of the wonders of the Casentinesi Forests National Park. The classic loop, starting and returning to San Benedetto in Alpe, is 12 km long and requires about 4 hours of walking.
From San Benedetto we take path 407, which runs along the left bank of the Acquacheta river, passing by the Mulino dei Romiti. The route, immersed in nature between woods and streams, leads to the spectacular waterfall mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy: over 70 meters high and up to 30 meters wide, it is a sight not to be missed.
We return to San Benedetto where we end the day with a dinner in one of the local trattorias, recovering our energy with mountain specialties such as polenta with mushrooms or cappelletti with ragù.
This concludes this fascinating itinerary through medieval villages and the wooded landscapes of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines: a unique mix of history, beauty and uncontaminated nature ideal in any period of the year. For those who choose autumn, in addition to the wonder of the foliage, we recommend checking the calendar, to be sure to participate in one of the many local events held in this period, such as the Truffle Fair in Dovadola, the Fugarena or the Palio di Santa Reparata in Terra del Sole, and the Sagra dei frutti del sottobosco e dell’artigianato artistica in Portico di Romagna.