Renowned for its naturalistic and landscape beauties, located entirely within the Corno alle Scale Regional Park. Greenery, sport and culture make this country perfect for a relaxing stay.
PLACES TO VISIT
The municipality of Lizzano in Belvedere is inextricably linked to Corno alle Scale, whose symbol is the cross of Punta Sofia. At 1945 m. above sea level, the panorama that can be enjoyed is breathtaking, opening onto the Alps towards the North, Florence and the port of Livorno at its feet and, on particularly clear days, it is possible to see the Tyrrhenian Sea and the islands of Sardinia, Corsica and of Elba to the West and the Adriatic Sea to the East.
The vegetation and flora make it a place of great interest, while sites not to be missed are Lake Scaffaiolo, the Valle del Silenzio and the Balzi dell’Ora.
The Sanctuary of Madonna dell’Acero is striking for the simplicity and harmony of the building, a place of the soul surrounded by monumental trees where silence leads the visitor to meditation. Built in 1500 in the place where the Madonna appeared to two shepherd children saving them from a snowstorm, the cult of the ancient sanctuary is renewed every 5th August and legend has it that the maple tree on whose branches the Madonna posed.
Outside the Sanctuary is the Dardagna waterfall, the last of seven waterfalls on the stream of the same name before its waters soften their descent. In the almost fairytale-like place, the power of the water is clearly perceivable, putting the visitor in complete contact with nature.
Theater of the Second World War, Lizzano in Belvedere was crossed by the Gothic Line, the defensive fortification built by Marshal Albert Kesselring in 1944. The Municipality of Lizzano has created a real tourist-cultural system, allowing you to travel along a stretch of the Gothic Line up to in Marzabotto. An evocative journey into memory through the paths, in an environment of enormous natural beauty capable of making strong the echo of the history lived by the people of the Apennines, protagonists of the partisan struggle between the autumn of 1944 and the spring of 1945.
In summer, tourists can also cool off in the water park of the Conca del Sole municipal swimming pools, immersed in the greenery of the Silla Valley and the surrounding mountains.
Lizzano in Belvedere was the birthplace of the well-known Italian journalist and writer Enzo Biagi. A museum dedicated to him has been set up in Pianaccio.
Above the villages of Lizzano in Belvedere and Vidiciatico, in the Monte Pizzo area, there is a bike park in charming woods. The route does not offer impossible slopes but the routes have been well marked by the volunteers who created this space dedicated to bikers. It is possible to choose between different routes where you can race your mountain bike based on different difficulty levels.
NOT TO BE MISSED
There are many events that take place in Lizzano in Belvedere and its surroundings over the months. Among these certainly “Corno Ti Risiko!” is one of the most appreciated: a huge Risk! outdoors usually scheduled for the last weekend of June.
In the first weekend of July the “Monte Acuto delle Irish” takes place, an Irish-style evening with beer and typical dishes.
At the end of July the “Borgo Festival” is held in Vidiciatico where the atmosphere of times gone by is recreated with shows, food stands and artisan markets: to pay it is necessary to use an ancient coin, the Magalino.
Also in Vidiciatico, on August 14th the traditional “Giughence la Campana” takes place, the challenge between hamlets based on mountain games to conquer the coveted bell.
In mid-August the “Blueberry Festival” also takes place in Lizzano in Belvedere, a two-day event dedicated to the precious berry called “the purple gold of Corno alle Scale”.
At the end of August in Vidiciatico it is time for street food while in the first weekend of October the “Tartufesta” is held, the event dedicated to the autumn flavors of the area. For the occasion, the restaurants in the municipality also offer a special menu based on local delicacies.
During the Christmas period, a Santa Claus village is set up in the small square of Vidiciatico, which can be visited for the entire duration of the holidays and is usually inaugurated on 8 December.
THE KITCHEN
The Emilian culinary tradition is at home in Lizzano in Belvedere. In particular, it is the strong and decisive flavors of the local woods and mountains that reign supreme in the local recipe book.
Lasagna with chestnuts and tagliatelle with cupline, porcini mushrooms with a genuine flavour, represent the perfect union between traditional Bolognese cuisine based on fresh pasta and the strong flavors of the mountains. Also typical of local cuisine are fugacine, better known as “tigelle” made with flour and water, fried crescentine and zampanelle, a sort of crepes made with water, white flour, salt and oil.
Directly from the forest, chestnuts are abundantly used in the culinary tradition of Lizzano in Belvedere, for any type of dish. Starting from chestnut flour with the addition of water, patollas are created to eat with ricotta, cheese and cured meats. Also typical of these mountains is castagnaccio, a simple dessert made from chestnut flour, water and shelled walnuts. In the month of January, however, chestnut pancakes are preferred, a simple and tasty recipe always based on chestnut flour.
For those with a sweet tooth, don’t miss the mountain sugars and the rice cake, traditionally prepared during the Easter period. Finally, chestnuts create an excellent digestive called “greedy chestnuts”, perfect to enjoy in front of a fireplace.
For fish lovers, another typical dish is Char, a freshwater fish with extraordinary organoleptic characteristics, cooked in different ways depending on the season.
Lizzano in Belvedere (Bologna)
Emilia Romagna – Italy
What to do see where to go in the province in the surrounding area near places to visit weekends Villages Characteristic tourist itineraries