Stage 10a

West Emilia Route – Concordia-Carpi

Concordia is the first municipality we encounter in Emilia, specifically in the province of Modena, which we will cross entirely in a north-south direction, crossing very different landscapes: from the plain, to the hills, to the challenging mountains of the Apennines. To better appreciate this land, we propose to hikers and cyclists two possible routes: an eastern one that from the river Secchia passes to the Naviglio, along whose banks we can reach Modena, Maranello – by means of another river, the Tiepido –, and the Apennines. The other route leaves the river Secchia at Rovereto, just south of Concordia, and re-enters it further upstream, after  Campogalliano,  touches some towns important both in history and as of now, to climb the first hills and rejoin the other route at Pavullo.

We also propose two possible variants to hikers and cyclists: a more easterly one that runs from the Secchia to the Naviglio, along whose banks we can reach Modena, Maranello and the Apennines. The other, described below, departs first from the Secchia but then re-enters it, touching on some important towns both historically and as of now, to climb the first hills and rejoin the other route in Pavullo.

From Concordia we walk along the bank of the Secchia river, between rows of poplars and bell towers in the distance. The area was the scene a few years ago of a serious earthquake, the signs of which are still clearly visible in the villages we encounter.

Leaving the Secchia at Rovereto we head southwest – along mainly dirt roads and in any case with very low traffic –, arriving at the camp of Fossoli, sadly famous because in the 1940s it was a place of collection and then sorting to Nazi concentration camps of Jews and political opponents of the fascist regime.

Continuing southwards we quickly arrive in Carpi, characterized by the beautiful square (one of the largest in Italy) and historical palaces: in one of these, the Palazzo dei Pio, we can visit the Palace Museum, the City Museum and the Museo al Deportato where are stored the memories of the infamous tragedies that we must not forget.