Toano – Mountain Landscapes, Cultural Routes and Regional Cuisine

Toano showcases the Apennines in an impressive combination of mountainous landscapes, medieval architecture and routes to special natural and cultural sites. The entire municipal area is mountainous; it was shaped by ancient glacial erosion and more recent fluvial erosion. Since June 2015, Toano has been part of the UNESCO Appennino Tosco-Emiliano MAB area. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment can therefore decide in advance which aspect of the trip to focus on: cultural sites, loop trails, geological features or regional cuisine.

Churches, Ceccati Culture and Medieval Traces

An important sight is the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta in Toano. Visits are possible on Sundays by prior reservation; registration must be made at least 48 hours in advance. Also in Toano is the Pieve matildica di Santa Maria in Castello, considered the oldest example of medieval architecture in this area.

In the hamlet of Stiano stands the Casa dei Ceccati, a medieval fortified Apennine house dating from the 14th to the early 15th century. In Corneto, the bell tower of the Church of San Martino is worth seeing. Antonio Ceccati designed it, and it was built between 1668 and 1676. You will also encounter the Ceccati family on the Sentiero dei Ceccati: the trail is dedicated to the artists who made a name for themselves in woodworking and stone sculpture.

Toano's cultural character also includes Manno Medioevale. For several years, the festival has featured a historical procession in costume, a medieval banquet, performances and a medieval market showcasing traditional crafts. The Oratorio della Madonna della Neve near Cavola is also home to a wooden altarpiece by the Ceccati family.

Loop Trails and the Rocks of Malpasso

Various trail ideas are available for planning a day out. The Sentiero dei Canepari starts and ends in the hamlet of Quara and is almost completely flat. The Sentiero dei Ceccati starts and ends in Corneto. Its destination is the Centro studi I Ceccati, which forms part of a circular route focused on natural history, art and culture. From Toano, the Sentiero San Pellegrino also leads to a well-known sanctuary in the province of Lucca.

The Balze di Malpasso near Quara are a striking natural area. The geosite features exposed sandstone cliffs, while streams have carved deeply incised sections of the valleys. A small via ferrata with two equipped routes leads there to the summit of Pizzo di Castel Pizzigolo. Anyone who does not want to use this route can also reach the Rio Malpasso waterfall via an easy walk, without a via ferrata or suspension bridges. A well-signposted path to the Balze begins near Castagnola in the municipality of Toano; parking is available near a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Regional Cuisine and the Right Location for Your Accommodation

Mountain cuisine complements the sightseeing tours with typical dishes. These include green tortelli, pumpkin tortelli and potato tortelli. Torta di patate is served as a starter, side dish or vegetarian main course. Anyone who values culture when choosing accommodation can select the location based on the planned church and Ceccati visits. For days spent in nature, Quara, Corneto or the area around the Balze di Malpasso are interesting points of reference; the places and trails mentioned should each be included in the itinerary as separate destinations.

The springs of Quara are also part of the area's distinctive landscape. They are located along the Dolo, and their thermal waters have been known since Roman antiquity. From Reggio Emilia, the route follows the signposted SS 476 to Veggia and then the SS 486 towards Cerredolo and Toano. This means that, when searching for a holiday apartment, you can already take into account whether your trip is to be shaped primarily by culture, trails, landscapes or culinary discoveries.

More Destinations for Your Search

For further travel planning, the following destinations are also available: Baiso, San Martino In Rio, Castellarano, Cerreto Laghi, Vezzano Sul Crostolo, Cavriago, Gaida and Collagna.

To the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.