Moglie di Ertola
Moglie di Ertola: A Plateau of Nature and History
At 1,115 meters above sea level lies a vast plateau of about 12,000 sq.m., currently used for grazing livestock, which hides beneath its grassy surface an ancient treasure: the Moglie di Ertola peat bog. This site is much more than a pasture; it is a natural archive that tells the story of millennia of environmental changes and human activity—a place where history and nature intertwine in extraordinary ways.
Stratigraphy and Investigations: The Story of the Bog
Numerous studies have revealed a complex stratigraphy within the peat bog, bearing witness to the long evolution of the site. The deposition of peat and organic material shows how natural phenomena and human interventions alternated in shaping this environment. Like other Apennine peat bogs, such as Pian del Lago and Prato Mollo, the Moglie di Ertola bog represents a true archive of Ligurian environmental history and archaeology.
Trees, Seeds, and Pollen: A Millennial Archive
The deposit, in some areas over six meters deep, preserves dozens of nearly complete trees—mainly Abies alba, beeches, and alders—with bark and branches perfectly intact. In addition, seeds, fruits, cones, and pollen dated to different periods, starting from the 4th millennium BCE, allow researchers to reconstruct the vegetation, climate, and human interaction with the mountain landscape over thousands of years.
A Natural Archive to Explore
Today, the Moglie di Ertola peat bog is not only a site for scientific study but also a bridge between past and present. Each layer of peat tells the story of mountainous Liguria, an intertwining of nature, humans, and climate that shaped this extraordinary Alpine-Apennine landscape.
Sources
De Pascale A., Fazzi S., Rossi S., Smaldone A., Tremari M., Maggi R., The excavation at Mogge di Ertola (Eastern Liguria, NW Italy): the stratigraphy, poster presentato al Seminario Internazionale “Wetlands as archives of the cultural landscapes: from research to management”, Genova, Archivio di Stato, 29-30 Gennaio 2009: http://www.dismec.unige.it/zum/poster/De-Pascale-et-al_Ertola_archaeology.pdf ;
Fossati S., Pesce G.L.A., Sicios M., Decri A. 2009, First results of the dendrochronological analysis of some wood samples from the wetland site of “Mogge di Ertola” (Genoa – Italy), poster presentato al Seminario Internazionale “Wetlands as archives of the cultural landscapes: from research to management”, Genova, Archivio di Stato, 29-30 Gennaio 2009: http://www.dismec.unige.it/zum/poster/Fossati-et-al_Ertola-Dendrocronology.pdf;
Menozzi B.I., Bellini C., Guido M.A., Placereani S., Montanari C. 2009, Mogge di Ertola: the palynological records, poster presentato al Seminario Internazionale “Wetlands as archives of the cultural landscapes: from research to management”, Genova, Archivio di Stato, 29-30 Gennaio 2009: http://www.dismec.unige.it/zum/poster/Menozzi-et-al_Ertola-palinologia.pdf
Trekking and cycling routes that may interest you
Itineraries of different durations and suitable for every taste and level of preparation, to discover the most beautiful and evocative places and panoramas of the Ligurian Tigullio.
Local experiences that might interest you
Let yourself be guided and be surprised by the hidden treasures that the Ligurian Tigullio area is capable of offering you in every season.
Sport
Hiking routes, climbing, mountain biking and much more… Choose the sport in contact with nature that’s right for you!
Culture
Shows, Theatre, Music, Food and Wine, Reading… Experience the cultural and artistic proposals, immersed in the Ligurian landscape.
Nature
Geology, bird watching, nature engineering and other initiatives, to cultivate awareness and responsibility for environmental issues.
More heritage that may interest you
Catalog of the tangible and intangible heritage, a precious resource of the Tigullio for community building and local development.
Join us!
Preserve the history and traditions of the Ligurian Tigullio area and keep them alive for future generations.