Pievepelago trip planner

Pievepelago is a comune in the Province of Modena in the Italian region of Emilia-Romagna in the heart of the northern Apennine Mountains. Situated on the Scoltenna river, in an mountain valley, it is a popular tourist resort crossed by the "Via Vandelli". It is about 70km southwest of Bologna, about 60km southwest of Modena, about 60km north of Lucca and about 70km northwest of Florence. It has a population of about 2200 inhabitants, spread among the main town and its frazioni Sant'Annapelago, Roccapelago, Sant'Andreapelago and Tagliole. The comune of Pievepelago is linked to Tuscany by Radici Pass and Foce a Giovo Pass.HistoryThe origins of Pievepelago are lost in the mist of the Middle Ages. The first document which attests the presence of a burgh in the valley belongs to the 10th century. The name of the village came from the presence of the pieve or parish church of Santa Maria Assunta since its early years. In the 18th century, two roads, Via Vandelli and Giardini, were built in order to join Tuscany to the north of Italy by cutting across the Apennines. That development increased trade a lot in the valley, and brought the town greater prestige and population. During World War II Pievepelago was on the Gothic line, and many inhabitants fought as partisans to free the valley. A monument celebrating the victims of the war is located in the center of town.