Passo della Colla

The Passo della Colla di Casaglia, located at 913 meters above sea level, is one of the most important connections between Tuscany and Romagna. Crossed by the State Road 302 "Brisighellese-Ravennate," it has been for centuries an essential passage between Florence and Faenza, fostering trade, transportation, and cultural exchanges between the two regions. The Passo della Colla di Casaglia has ancient origins and has been used since the Middle Ages as a transit route for pilgrims and merchants. During the Florentine rule, the Republic of Florence strengthened its importance, ensuring a safe route for caravans transporting goods between the fertile Romagna plain and the heart of Tuscany. In the 19th century, with the improvement of road infrastructure, the pass became a reference point for trade and tourism, eventually being included in the route of the State Road 302, which still connects Florence to Faenza. During World War II, the Passo della Colla was a strategic point along the Gothic Line, the defensive barrier built by the Nazis to counter the Allied advance in the Apennines. Fierce battles took place here between German troops and the Allies, supported by partisan formations operating in the surrounding woods. The battles in the area significantly contributed to the liberation of central Italy, and even today it is possible to find memorials and evidence of the conflict along the hiking trails that cross the pass. Not far from the Passo della Colla is the Fonte dell’Alpe, a historic spring known for the exceptional quality of its water. Since ancient times, this spring has been a fundamental refreshment point for travelers, merchants, and pilgrims crossing the Apennines. The water from the Fonte dell’Alpe is fresh, light, and pure, and has always been considered a true natural treasure of the area. Its importance is also evidenced by the presence of ancient documents that describe it as a strategic resting place, as well as an essential resource for the local population.

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