Cerreto Alpi
Welcome to Cerreto Alpi, a charming hamlet in the Italian municipality of Ventasso, in the province of Reggio Emilia. Located in the heart of the Reggio Apennines, this ancient village was first mentioned in a document from 835, and the municipal territory boasts a long and rich history.
A beautiful landscape
Cerreto Alpi is located at the confluence of the Cerretano Canal and the Secchia river, a few kilometers south of the Passo del Cerreto, the natural border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. The town is divided into three hamlets and is located on a spur, offering a panoramic view of the nearby mountains. The Secchia valley, which stretches between Cerreto Alpi and Collagna, is a breathtaking place not to be missed, with a deep gorge carved by the river over millennia and locally called "Schioch."
A few steps from the village is an ancient stone mill dating back to the early 19th century, where chestnut and cereal flour was produced. Today, the mill has been restored and transformed into a rural accommodation managed by a local cooperative.
A long and rich history
Cerreto Alpi was first mentioned in a document from 835, which attests that the village depended on the monastery of Sant'Alessandro in Parma. In the 12th century, the town was subject to the Vallisneri, undisputed lords of the high Reggio mountains, while in 1237, the Cerretani submitted to the Free Municipality of Reggio Emilia. In 1323, it became the possession of the lord of Lucca, Castruccio Castracani, before returning to the center of the struggles between some noble Reggio families such as the Vallisneri and the Dalli.
From the 15th century to 1859, Cerreto Alpi was part of the Estensi possessions and hosted numerous historical figures, including the poet Torquato Tasso. In 1920, the village was hit by an earthquake that shook Lunigiana and the entire upper Reggio Apennines.
The land of singer-songwriter Giovanni Lindo Ferretti
In recent years, Cerreto Alpi has become famous as the birthplace and residence of singer-songwriter Giovanni Lindo Ferretti, known for being the frontman of CCCP Fedeli alla linea and CSI. Ferretti has always maintained a strong bond with his homeland and has dedicated several songs to the village and its traditions.
Conclusions
In summary, Cerreto Alpi is a small jewel nestled in the Reggio Apennines, a place where nature and history blend harmoniously. Visiting the village means immersing oneself in a place rich in charm, discovering the millennia-old history of its walls and its people, and savoring the local cuisine, made of authentic and genuine flavors. We invite you to visit Cerreto Alpi and discover all that it has to offer.
