Alpe di Puntato
“Alpeggio di Puntato”, is a settlement of small houses at the foot of Corchia's Mount, surrounded by some of the best known and visited peaks of the southern Apuan Alps, such as “Pania della Croce”, “Pizzo delle Saette”, “Monti Freddone”, “Sumbra and Paglierino”.
Puntato with “Capanne di Giovo” and “Campo Catino” form all together a spectacular example of how our ancestors managed to live in a perfect symbiosis with nature, mostly harsh and rigid, shaping the context without disfigure it.
Located around 1,000 meters above the sea level s.l.m. it includes an area of about 100 hectares that offers the viewer, among beech and chestnut woods, the vision of agricultural terraces and large green areas of pastures with typical grasses such as paleo, a bushy tall and thin grass with thick strands, particularly integrated into the local ecosystem.
The area is still existing with its typical stone houses, about fifty, which were used typically in the summertime as shelters for animals and shepherds, who used to practice the ancient art of transhumance.
Today there are about fifteen stone houses only partially restored with respect for the place and the landscape.
The remaining tollhouses are now reduced to ruins as a result of the gradual abandonment that took place little by little, started in the 50s.
From the early 80s, with the establishment of the Regional Park of the Apuan Alps, the past interest in this forgotten place has returned, since the place is still well-preserved as it has crystallized over time.
Compared to other Alpine pastures, PUNTATO is still presenting several “Marginette” or Majesty ( rest and prayer points ) that highlight the highly extended presence of man in this place, confirmed by the presence of a church, recently renovated, dedicated to the SS.TRINITA , a destination for many hikers.
About PUNTATO there are historical references dating back to 1600, concerning the concessions of arable and rural areas by the Grand Duchy of Lucca (editor's note: see publication "ALPEGGIO DI PUNTATO" by some inhabitants of the village of Terrinca).
Nearby Minor Alpine pastures (Campanice and “Col di Favilla”) resist and they can still be visited through easily practicable paths.
While walking in the surrounding woods it is not difficult to came across “Metati”or drying equipment made with stones, once used for drying chestnuts for the production of precious "chestnut flour", a source of sustenance and a precious exchange of goods for the inhabitants of this area.
For those who give a closer look it can't gets past the scattered remains of old “Carbonaie”, which are wooden plains meadows where wise hands stacked wood in cone formations, with a central chimney, covering them with divots and earth after a long and slow burning (about 40 days) for the production of coal. |
