Walk the Via degli Asini
Walk inside a 14th-century elevated covered street illuminated by half-moon arched windows, following the historic pathway where donkeys carried chalk rock from the gypsum cliffs of Brisighella.
At a glance
April to October (warm sunshine and clear views across the Lamone river valley and gypsum pinnacles)
Morning or late afternoon when light streams through the arched stone windows
1.5 to 2.5 hours including the walk, the clock tower, and the Manfredian fortress
Architectural medieval walk & fortress climbing · Self-guided
Easy to Moderate (gentle incline and stone stairs to the upper pinnacles)
Drop-in possible
The world's only elevated covered donkey street
Tucked into the Lamone river valley beneath three sheer selenitic gypsum cliffs (gessi), the medieval village of Brisighella is one of Italy's most enchanting hidden gems. Crowned by a 14th-century castle, an 18th-century clock tower, and a pilgrimage sanctuary, it preserves an architectural wonder found nowhere else in Europe.
The Antica Via degli Asini (Street of the Donkeys), also known as the Strada del Borgo, was built in the 14th century as a raised defensive rampart. Later enclosed beneath private homes, it was used by birocciai (cart drivers) and their sturdy donkeys to transport selenite chalk from mountain quarries above, protected from winter snow and summer heat. Walking its wooden-beamed tunnel illuminated by dozens of lunette arches looking out onto Piazza Marconi feels like stepping centuries back into medieval daily life.
What to expect in Brisighella
Entering the elevated gallery
Ascend a flight of stone steps from Piazza Marconi into the enclosed street, smelling aged timber beams and listening to the echo of your footsteps.
The lunette window panoramas
Peer through the arched half-moon apertures framing the terracotta roofs, olive groves, and the three rocky pinnacles of the village.
Climbing the three hills
Continue up scenic stone paths to the cylindrical Torre dell'Orologio and the imposing Rocca Manfrediana fortress for panoramic vistas over the Vena del Gesso Regional Park.
Plan your experience
When to go
Spring (April–June) brings emerald vineyards and blooming wild thyme. Autumn (September–November) is olive harvest season when the town celebrates its prized Brisighello extra-virgin olive oil (DOP).
Getting there
Regional trains on the historic Faentina railway line run between Faenza and Florence, stopping directly at Brisighella station (5 minutes walk to the village square).
Booking & permits
The Via degli Asini is open to the public free of charge year-round. A combined ticket available at the tourist office grants entry to the Rocca Manfrediana and the Museo Civico.
What to bring
- Comfortable walking shoes with good traction for stone steps and clifftop paths
- A small backpack to carry a bottle of local Brisighello DOP olive oil and Sangiovese di Romagna wine
Before you go
- Taste the renowned local extra-virgin olive oil 'Brisighello', produced from the indigenous Nostrana di Brisighella olive variety since Roman antiquity
- Visit the nearby Pieve di San Giovanni in Ottavo (Pieve del Thò), a serene 5th-century Romanesque church built with Roman columns
Official information
Always verify permits, seasonal weather conditions and access directly with public authorities:
Official guides to medieval monuments, olive oil itineraries, and seasonal festival calendars.
Official UNESCO World Heritage gypsum karst park map, cave visits, and hiking trails.
Ways to experience it
Walk the length of the Via degli Asini in the morning, followed by the climb up to the Torre dell'Orologio and lunch at a traditional osteria on Piazza Marconi.
Join an official walking tour exploring the selenite geological quarries and the ancient defense systems of the Manfredi family.
Certified providers & operators
Pro Loco Brisighella
Village heritage walks & museum coordination
Local tourism guild organizing guided visits to the fortress and historic underground oil mills
Terra di Brisighella (Cooperativa Agricola)
DOP olive oil tasting & olive press tours
Historic agricultural cooperative offering guided tastings of Brisighello DOP extra virgin olive oil