Italy : handbook for travellers. First part, Northern Italy and Corsica / by K. Baedeker.

  • Karl Baedeker
Date:
1870
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Italy : handbook for travellers. First part, Northern Italy and Corsica / by K. Baedeker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    459/494 (page 333)
    traverses the wood, and reaches a projecting rock commanding an extensive view of the valley of the Arno. The summit of the *Pratomagno commands an extensive pro- spect; the ascent from Vallombrosa (guide 2 fr.) occupies 1 hr. The path traverses dense pine-forest, then dwarfed beech-under- wood , and finally green pastures. The culminating point of the chain is crossed, and the sinuosities of tlie mountains followed by a winding path for some distance. The scenery of the Apen- nines is characterised by wild and bleak slopes and narrow ridges, intersected by profound gorges. Fine grained grauwacke (macigno). varied occasionally by grauwacke-slate or the more recent clay- slate, forms the principal mass of this group. The vegetation is scanty and monotonous, insects and birds are rare, water seldom visible. The view from the summit, which is 5323 ft. above the sea- level, is obstructed on the N. and S. by peaks of equal altitude. E. lies the green Casentino Valley, drained by an impetuous brook, the water of which is praised by Dante (Inf. 30, 64), and bounded on the N. E. by the lofty Monte Falterona (where the Arno rises), a buttress of the principal chain of the Apen- nines. W. the fertile and richly cultivated valley of the Arno stretches as far as the dome of the cathedral of Florence, beyond which the blue Mediterranean is visible in the extreme distance. Above the towers of Florence rise the indented peaks of the mountains of Carrara and other summits, among which the Monte Cimone (6907 ft.), the loftiest of the N. Apennines, is most con- spicuous. From the Pratomagno a steep path descends through woods and ravines hr.), skirting the brook Solano, traversing green meadows and stony s^opes overgrown with thistles, then through underwood of beeches and cheslnuts, past Celica and several other mountain-villages to the nictu- resque market-town of S. Niccold, commanded by the ancient fort of th 1 name, and situated at the confluence of the Solano and Arno, where the fer lie Casentino expands. The river is crossed by a wooden bridge, bovond WW fJ^^ '''^^ '°n^ ancient church or CmnpJiZ, 7e r l L%T^7^'^' i'' '289, Dante distinguisl/ed him-' self as an intrepid horseman, and aided his Guelph countrymen to crush ;o^rtrr;is^'ki:;rr; S.'^^^^ p--^^ Ic. Camaldoli and Alvernia. An attractive excursion may be undertaken from Vallombrosa to the Casentino, or upper valley ot the Arno, a district which affords an insight into the scenery ol the Apennines. The carriage-road from Pontassieve (p. S;]]) to the Casentino crosses the Consuma Puss, about 9 M. distant rhe expedition is, however, especially suitable for pedestrians l<rom Vallombrosa a bridle-path (guide necessary, 2 fr.) traverses the brow of the hills, affording a succes.sion of fine views and leading in 2 hrs. to the Osteria delki Consuma, the inn'of a small mountain-village. IC a carriage can be procured here the traveller should drive to liibLiena (15 M.), or at least to Prato-