DAY 1

Leaving Montieri we immediately go up to a magical place full of mysteries, legends and treasures: The rectory of San Niccolò, a hexameral church with a high geometric and alchemical symbolism.  The site’s existence is prior to the 1000, which instead according to the singular plan, is the period the church itself can be dated back to, here traces of the Rinaldone era were found dating back 3000 years ago.  

We then proceed to Gerfalco, a twelfth century village with a silver heart at the foot of the Cornate. Going through the gates of the city walls we leave the ancient village and like knights of other times we venture towards the woods of the Cornate, highest massif of the Metalliferous Hills, over 1000 meters in height. 

On the calcareous summit the soul runs with the wind, through prairies and garigues and in the sky where the very rare peregrine falcon and lanner falcon, show us the ancient quarries of the red ammonitic marble. The castle of Fosini, a fortress that dates back to the middle of the XII century, located at the source of the Torrente Pavone, rises sheer, with a view that is both powerful and out of this world. 

We will cross the entire reserve of the Cornate and with the favor of the night we will reach an ancient and large farm finely restored, now become an organic farm, spending the night where once were stables and barns.

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DAY 2

The next day, after a breakfast of local products, we leave for the Devil’s Valley, an enchanted place that has fascinated and nourished the fantasies of the Home genre since ancient times.

 During the walk we will be surrounded by the pungent smell of sulphur that will quickly penetrate the nostrils carrying away the mind, almost leading us to the gates of Dante’s hell. 

We will be able to observe the contrast between the rocks whitened by the sulphurous vapors with the violet of the heath and the red ochre of the iron rocks, that together draw a mystic and surreal landscape. From the small fractures of the steaming rocks, we will be able to admire the wonderful crystalline geometries of the sulphur. 

Closing our eyes, we will listen to the silence around us, discovering a reality made of sighs that come out from the cracks of the rocks, at first perceived as a slight hiss, almost imperceptible, then more and more intense as if surrounded by many streams flowing around us. 

We will reach the highest point of the Geo-site, where all contradictions will suddenly manifest themselves. A landscape of lunar pallor immersed in an atypical flora made of cork and heather. Further on extensive forests and a beautiful countryside rich in olive groves and vineyards.

 In the background view, the Tyrrhenian coast will appear from the Gulf of Baratti, Piombino, up to Punta Ala and Argentario also featuring in its scenery the mountain Capanne of the island of Elba.