Into the mountains

On Tuesday, we went across  to the Apuane Alps side, a bit farther north of Castelnuovo, to the hydro-electric reservoir of Lago di Vagli.  When created, the lake waters inundated the little settlement of Fabbriche di Carregine - an old mining village. 

Farther up the valley, above Vagli di Sopra, we came to the quite extensive deserted village of Campocatino - summer quarters for shepherds tending their sheep grazing the alpine meadows.  Recently, many of the houses have been restored for vacational use, and there is a rifugio, which is, presumably open in the summer.  With the sun dipping behind of the mountains, it was bitterly cold.

Lake Vagli is very low due to the lack of rainfall last winter and summer.  Even so, the sunken village, with its full size bell-tower, remains invisible.

Up at the level of the summer village of Campocatini, the scene is dominated by the nearby bulk of Monte Roccandagia

Due to the proximity of the marble deposits, the limestone here is very pale, presenting a a snowy appearance

Many of the buildings have now been restored.  (The geraniums are artificial!)