Some legends I have learned in this journey

Italy is a fascinating country, but besides the great sceneries, history, great food, and wines, there are quite many legends bonded to places of unique beauty.

So far in my journey back to Italy, I visited many places in Tuscany but a couple of them had interesting stories to tell, and this time I am going to tell you about the legend bonded to the fortress of Cervaia (Rocca di Cerbaia).

The ruins of the castle, which was built in the XII century and is located on a cliff in the municipality of Cantagallo in Prato province. Its history is not very clear particularly for what concerns the owners of the castle. It has been owned for a long period by the Alberti family and sold to the Florence Republic. In the year 1400, the fortress was almost dismantled but refurbished in 1512 to fight against the invasion of the Spanish army.

During 1600 the fortress changed owner and was purchased by the family of Gricignana, and finally acquired by the municipality of Cantagallo which aims to restore it. Driving from the road that from Prato in the direction of Vaiano/Vernio. As you reach the old bridge of Cerbaia, you will find a small path on the right with a sign showing the way.

Following the sign, you will walk along a small path:

leading to a bridge that crosses the river:

Already from there, if you look up you will spot the fortress:
which can be reached by foot along an enchanting path.

Now to the legend, that has the young Nelfia as a protagonist. Nelfia was a young lady at those times only fourteen years old, daughter of the Alberti Family, owners of the castle. The tale says that because of her rebel character, she was kept segregated and constantly guarded by a friar, also called "The Guardian."

Nelfia was extremely beautiful, and although she was kept inside the castle, there was still the chance for her to see and be seen by soldiers, who remained enchanted by her beauty and wished nothing more than to meet her.

She was also enchanted by some of them and also wished to meet them. The guardian friar felt sorry for her destiny and seized the opportunity asking for money from those soldiers to organize secret meetings with the young girl.

Nevertheless, the chance that those soldiers could tell about their encounter and put Nelfia and particularly the friar in big troubles was high. For this reason, after the encounter, the friar killed the soldiers by pushing them down the cliff.

Since then, every time the river turned red, it was because Nelfia had a new lover.

It is said that Nelfia still wanders the area under the shape of a white snake, looking for her lost lovers.

This is, of course, just a legend, but it gives one more reason to visit the ruins of the fortress of Cervaia, and the wonderful landscapes surrounding it.

One small hint for those who are intentioned to visit it. I suggest you go on springtime, as the weather is milder, and nature is greener and full of flowers. This is the time you will enjoy the place at its best.

If you instead wish to have a glimpse of its darkest side, then visit it in autumn or winter when nature matches the darkest stories that happened during the times when it was inhabited.

For today is all, I hope you enjoyed the tale.

Have a nice weekend