San Paolo in Alpe

Rural built-up area completely abandoned, to be found inside the 'Foreste Casentinesi' National Park.
It is one one the most fascinating places of this protected area, in which you can easily see wild animals (fallows, boars, deers, roes etc.) pasturing in the grass.

Address: 47018 Santa Sofia (FC), Italia

Locality: S. Paolo in Alpe
Sito WEB: http://www.parcoforestecasentinesi.it

Analytical text

San Paolo in Alpe is a little mountainous built-up area, deserted, to be found at 1000 mt. above sea level. The only traces of the former daily life are the ruined parish church, the little cemetery and a long and short colonial house.
During the II World War, S. Paolo had a great strategic importance, since it was chosen from the allies as area to gather waepons and food for the Resistants. On the 12th April 1944, the German troops set fire to the parish church. The National Park has included ths place in the Sentiero della Libertà ('Path for Freedom'); this means that it is considered to be an important place in the history of Resistance.

How to get there

It is possible to reach S. Paolo in Alpe by the National Park's excursion network (for example: the path from Corniolo or from Ridracoli).
By car, you can drive along the forest road up to the bar of S. Paolo, whose entrance is at about 2 km from Cornilo area on the left (towards Campigna); once parked your car near the bar, proceed by foot for a short bit.