Pianaccio

The picturesque hamlet of Pianaccio (760 meters) is as if nestled in a particularly cozy corner of the upper Silla Valley, below the southern slopes of Mount Grande, well exposed to the sun despite its valley floor location, and sheltered from the cold winds and blizzards of rain or snow from the ridge. The narrow streets of the hamlet branch between beautiful stone houses with sandstone-framed doors and windows, and then extend into the ancient mule tracks that lead into the forest.

In addition to being an ideal place for hiking, the village is notable for its church, which traces its origins to a small oratory, erected in 1736, and for the Enzo Biagi Documentary Center, which in the summer is also often used as a venue for exhibitions and events.

Thanks to a short walk, it is possible to reach the village of Fiammineda, now completely abandoned but the good preservation of its buildings means that a very special atmosphere reigns there. This small cluster of stone houses, dominating the southernmost sector of the upper Silla valley, stands on a sunny shelf, perhaps the origin of its name (Fiammineda stands for "place subject to fire"). From the plateau, the view embraces the Monti Grossi and goes as far as the ridge, where Mount Gennaio and Poggio delle Ignude stand out. The village is overlooked by Monte Grande, whose arenaceous strata near the summit, surrounded by forest, can be appreciated. Cherry trees, pear trees and tall poplars shade the group of houses, which is enclosed by old abandoned chestnut groves and recent reforestation of fir trees. The meadow in front of one of the buildings in spring is colored pink by cuckoo flowers. The mule track that leads to Pianaccio still has paved sections and laps portions of the chestnut grove with sizable specimens. Among the chestnut trees and a few spruce trees is a fine example of a well-preserved casone (drying house), with a niche over the entrance that once held a sacred image.