Casetta di Tiara

Tiara's Cottage is a small and charming village located in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, halfway between the municipalities of Palazzuolo sul Senio and Firenzuola. This remote place, nestled among green forests and gentle hills, lies along the valley of the Rovigo stream, a tributary of the Santerno river. Its strategic position, on the border between Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, has made it over the centuries a point of passage and encounter between cultures, trades, and traditions. The toponym "Tiara's Cottage" seems to have medieval roots. The term "Cottage" probably refers to the presence of a small settlement or refuge, while "Tiara" could derive from the Latin Tegularia, indicating an area rich in tiles or stones used for constructions, an important local resource. Other interpretations connect the name to an ancient noble family or to a link with the circular shape of the surrounding hills, similar to a "tiara," the headgear symbol of royalty or sacredness. Tiara's Cottage is also linked to two prominent figures of Italian literature: Dino Campana and Sibilla Aleramo. The visionary poet and the feminist intellectual met in the area during the period of their tumultuous relationship. The two used to walk along the paths of this valley, and it is said that it was here that Campana found inspiration for some passages of his famous "Orphic Songs." The rugged and wild landscape of Tiara's Cottage reflected the rebellious and passionate character of the poet, helping to make this location emblematic of his poetic. Sibilla Aleramo, on the other hand, left traces of her experience in these lands in her writings, evoking the charm of a world isolated and far from modernity. Their bond, albeit brief and tumultuous, remains immortalized in the atmospheres that can still be felt in the village. Another character who left an indelible mark on Tiara's Cottage is Don Rodolfo Cinelli, the historic parish priest of the village. Loved and respected by the inhabitants, Don Cinelli was a charismatic figure and a reference for the community, especially during the period of the Second World War. Not only did he take care of the spiritual well-being, but he also promoted initiatives to improve the residents' daily lives. Even today, the memory of Don Cinelli lives on in the stories of the village's elders and in the documents of the local parish. The history of Tiara's Cottage is deeply connected to its geographical location. In the Middle Ages, the village was located along an important route for transhumance and exchanges between the two regions, and its economy was mainly based on pastoralism and agriculture. Its inhabitants were famous for wool processing and the production of dried chestnuts, a fundamental food in the Apennine diet. During the Second World War, the valley and its small centers were theaters of clashes and shelters for partisans. Tiara's Cottage was not spared from the passage of German troops and events related to the Gothic Line. Even today, in the surrounding woods, it is possible to come across old mule tracks and remains of shelters used during that period. A curious aspect of the daily life of Tiara's Cottage is linked to its isolation during the harsh Apennine winters. Until the mid-twentieth century, the inhabitants lived almost entirely self-sufficient, sharing resources and organizing themselves communally to face difficulties. This spirit of solidarity has remained alive in the few residents who still inhabit the village. In terms of nature, the surroundings offer a breathtaking panorama, with trails that cross chestnut and oak forests, ideal for hiking and horseback riding. Near the Rovigo stream, one can still find old mills and remains of charcoal kilns, testimonies of ancient trades. On the other hand, a curious anecdote concerns a popular tradition linked to Christmas: until the 1950s, the inhabitants gathered around the large burning log in the fireplace of the largest house in the village, singing and telling stories until dawn, in a collective celebration symbolizing the unity of the community.

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