To visit a valley rich in history, walk its paths and taste the “tortello alla lastra”, one of its most characteristic local specialities, today produced and promoted by a community cooperative. To take part in the children's “Cantamaggio” (Mayday singing) and in the editions of the “Mercatale” (country market), a perfect opportunity to get to know and buy local products and crafts.

The Vallesanta Ecomuseum is one of the most recent ‘antennas’ in the network of museums. It was launched with the creation of a community map which records the places of interest and the highlights of the area and is accessible online here: https://www.ecomuseo.casentino.toscana.it/mappavallesanta/index.html

The Valley, a part of which is in the National Park of the Casentino Forests, experienced a mass exodus from the post-war period onwards. For some years, however, there has been a countertrend with the arrival of new inhabitants. Through the Ecomuseum we intend to contribute to "building bridges" to connect the old generations (with their significant wealth of knowledge and skills, at risk of disappearing) with the new and to create opportunities for exchanges to build trust between old and new residents. In this way this small area will be able to build a future in continuity with the past and be able to pass on its values ​​and specific skills to the new generations.

The Vallesanta Ecomuseum is spread out over the area.

Some locations represent points of reference for both the local community and visitors.

The school in Corezzo

The heart of the Valley, where research and activity based projects related to the area are carried out every year and where the "Room of memories and manual skills" has been created with a collection of works of art created over time. Next to the school, with the involvement of the children, a small orchard has also been planted with old local varieties of apple and pear trees that were fast disappearing.

Mercatale (Country Market)

Both an exhibition and a meeting place, this market was set up in 2012, to highlight the characteristics of the area, of its landscape, its history and its culture. The ‘Mercatale’ hosts events to promote local skills and  products, creating opportunities for exchange and discussion on various themes.

The market is dedicated to the exhibition/marketing of producers of local organic food products and crafts. At the market you can also enjoy: food prepared on site with organic products at km 0; thematic walks to discover places that have a special significance for the area; workshops where both adults and children can try their hand at manual skills and crafts; spaces providing information and encouraging debate on issues such as health, food and the environment.

The Granary of Narciso in Frassineta

A small but significant permanent exhibition, privately owned, housed in an old granary, with a collection representing the material culture of the Valley.

The "Badalischio" or "Badalisco", a mythical, legendary creature (originating from the basilisk, a monster from the medieval bestiary) is present in many places in Casentino and a large number of apparitions have been recorded in Vallesanta. It is a sort of “genius loci” and lives in ditches and wet areas. Some people of the valley describe it as a large snake with small legs and "whiskers", as big as a "swaddled child" or "the wheel of a Vespa", others say it wears a precious crown on its head. The most recent sightings have been recorded at: Buca della Mencona (Biforco), Campo di Gostinello (Corezzo) and Sala Vecchia (Frassineta). Consult the interactive map to find out more.

https://www.ecomuseo.casentino.toscana.it/mappavallesanta/videosalavecchia.html

https://www.ecomuseo.casentino.toscana.it/mappavallesanta/videobadalischio.html