Vom Campingplatz nach Piglionico: 10 Minuten mit dem Auto oder eine halbe Stunde Fußmarsch. Von Piglionico nach Pania Secca: etwa 2 Stunden Wanderung.

The War Years and the Spirit of Freedom in the Apuan Alps

During World War II, the Apuan Alps and their surrounding valleys played a crucial role in the Italian Resistance. The area around what is now known as Panchina della Libertà became a strategic refuge thanks to its rugged terrain, dense forests, and hidden mountain paths. These natural features offered protection to partisan fighters, civilians, and people fleeing persecution during one of the darkest periods in Italian history.

Between 1943 and 1945, local communities actively supported the Resistance. Villagers provided food, shelter, and guidance, helping partisans move safely along secret trails that connected remote settlements while avoiding German and Fascist patrols. These mountain routes were essential supply lines and escape paths. Daily life was marked by fear, scarcity, and sacrifice, and the region suffered violent reprisals and tragic losses that left lasting scars on collective memory.

In this historical context, freedom was not an abstract idea, but a struggle faced every day with courage and determination. The mountains symbolized safety, hope, and resistance, standing in stark contrast to the violence unfolding in the valleys below. For many, the Apuan Alps represented survival and the possibility of a future beyond oppression.

Today, Panchina della Libertà overlooks this same landscape in silence and peace. What is now a place for rest and reflection carries a deeper meaning rooted in history. Its name serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices, resilience, and spirit of freedom that once defined these mountains—making it not only a scenic viewpoint, but also a place of remembrance and historical significance.