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A stage on the Via Caprese Michelangelo branch.
After the Franciscan sanctuary of La Verna, a mystical place where nature meets faith, you pass through Chiusi della Verna, the last village in the Casentino area that marks the entrance to the Tiber Valley.
Among the green mountains covered by ancient beech forests, a clearing opens up to make way for a small chapel with the Casella hermitage, which has welcomed pilgrims and wayfarers over the centuries. Built on the summit of Monte Foresto in memory of St Francis' final farewell to La Verna, it is a place of intimate silence and contemplation, set in a natural setting of outstanding beauty.
Immersed in the beautiful scenery of the Alpe di Catenaia, you arrive in Caprese Michelangelo, the heart of what is known as the "Little Valley of God", thanks to the solitary tranquillity and spirituality that permeates the area. In dispute with Chiusi della Verna as the place where Michelangelo Buonarroti came into the world, Caprese Michelangelo was designated as the birthplace of the great artist in 1875, and its ancient castle houses his birthplace and the Michelangiolesco Museum. There are numerous fine religious buildings scattered around the village, and it is also a land of authentic flavours. PDO chestnuts are harvested in the beautiful chestnut groves, while the fruits of the forest floor - mushrooms and truffles - are served up as special ingredients in traditional recipes: excellent opportunities to add a delicious end to this stage.
