San Pellegrino in Alpe, hamlet of Castiglione di Garfagnana and exclave of Frassinoro
San Pellegrino in Alpe is a small mountain settlement on a pass in the Apennines, sitting on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. It consists of stone houses with red tile roofs, narrow lanes, and a stone sanctuary that forms the center of the village.
The settlement grew in the Middle Ages around a sanctuary dedicated to Saint Pellegrino, drawing travelers crossing the pass. Over the following centuries, control of the pass was disputed between neighboring regions because of its role as a route connecting Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna.
The sanctuary at the heart of the village still draws pilgrims who arrive on foot along mountain paths, as they have for centuries. The stone buildings around the church square give a sense of how life at this altitude has long looked and felt.
The road to the village runs over the Passo delle Radici, a narrow mountain road that is steep on the Garfagnana side and requires careful driving. The village can also be reached on foot via hiking trails from nearby towns, making it a good base for walking in the area.
Near the village, Monte Forato is a rocky peak with a natural arch that local legend links to Saint Pellegrino, who is said to have struck the Devil so hard that he broke through the rock. Visitors still leave stones at the spot as a nod to the old story.
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