Dating back to the 1200s, Qualto is the oldest village in San Benedetto Val di Sambro.
It’s surrounded by dense chestnut woods and still has much of its original look and character.
Strolling along the town’s roads, visitors can admire its natural beauty thanks to stone walls decorated by paintings, sandstone roofs, architraves and inscriptions.
Continuing along to the upper town, there is a still-active ancient spring from which fresh water rises.
Exploring the town’s lanes and alleyways, visitors will reach the square which is home to the monumental Chiesa di San Gregorio Magno (Church of Saint Gregory the Great) built around 1300 and now dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel. From there, in the heart of the village, is a breath-taking view all the way to the mountains of Corno alle Scale.
The notable Cà di Bastiano, a regal house with period details surrounded by fig trees and staircases, also faces the square. It’s a unique structure in the Apennines for its ‘balconata’ entrance, that is, a sort of portico with a slab roof over the entry door.
Heading downhill from the main square is the old scadòr, a space where chestnuts were left to dry after each year’s harvest, then cleaned and taken to the mill to be turned into flour.
Altitude m. 762
From the Pian del Voglio exit on motorway A1/E35, continue along Via Autostazione, then head down Strada Provinciale 61 towards Via delle Caselle in Qualto.