Femminamorta
Discovering Femminamorta: geography and history
Hello everyone! Today we will talk about a small hamlet in the province of Pistoia, in Tuscany: Femminamorta. The locality is located about 7 km from Marliana and 18 km from Pistoia, on the ridge that divides the Vincio di Montagnana Valley from the Nievole Valley. The area around Femminamorta is characterized by dense forests of chestnuts, oaks and firs and cultivated fields mainly of potatoes. The Nievole river, which flows towards the homonymous valley, originates in the surrounding territory.
Femminamorta can be reached through several roads: the SP17 from Pistoia, passing through Montagnana and Momigno, the Mammianese road that crosses the hamlet, and the SP38 from Calamecca. These communication routes intersect at a crossroads around which the hamlet has developed.
Now let's talk about the history of Femminamorta. In pre-Roman times, the area was occupied by the Ligurians. In 187 BC, the Roman consul Caio Flaminio defeated the Ligurians and liberated the Apennine passes towards the Po Valley. Their settlement left some tombs and place names near Femminamorta, such as Panicagliora, Avaglio and Piteglio.
In Roman times, a road crossed the area from Valdinievole to the Pistoia Mountains. This route was presumably the same one that led pilgrims and travelers from the plain to Prunetta in the Middle Ages, once home to the Templar hospice of the Brandeglio Cross, and then to the Lima Valley and towards the ancient Alpe alla Croce pass.
In the 17th century, the locality was called "Femina Morta" because of the discovery, under the snow, of the corpse of an unknown girl. In the 19th century, the small village was also called "Dogana Vecchia" because it was located on the border between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Lucca and was the site of a customs house.
During World War II, the Gothic Line passed near Femminamorta, built by the Germans to stop the advance of the Allied armies on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
Attractions in Femminamorta
Now, let's move on to the interesting things to see in Femminamorta! The locality has several attractions, both natural and historical.
First of all, I recommend taking a walk through the forests of chestnuts, oaks and firs that surround Femminamorta. The view is truly breathtaking and the air is pure!
In addition, there is an ancient and suggestive church to visit: the church of San Pietro Apostolo. It is located on top of the village and was built around the 13th century. Inside, you can admire some ancient works of art and a large statue of San Pietro.
Finally, if you are passionate about history, I recommend visiting the Dogana Vecchia, which is located along the Mammianese road. This building is still visible and was the headquarters of customs officers who controlled the border between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Duchy of Lucca.
How to get to Femminamorta
If you are interested in visiting Femminamorta, I recommend arriving by car. The locality can be reached through several roads, as we have already mentioned. Once you arrive, you can park along the village streets, so you can take a walk and admire the beauty of the surrounding nature.
Conclusions
Femminamorta is a hamlet in the province of Pistoia, in Tuscany, located on the ridge that divides the Vincio di Montagnana Valley from the Nievole Valley. It has an ancient and interesting history, which can be discovered by visiting the church of San Pietro Apostolo and the Dogana Vecchia. But the most beautiful thing about Femminamorta is definitely the surrounding nature, which offers forests of chestnuts, oaks and firs, and cultivated fields. A perfect place for those who want to take a walk in contact with nature!
