Following a linear route through Porta San Martino, Via dei Monti reached the plain of San Rocco, where we could find the beginning of the old pathway that led to Piacenza by going through San Nicolao and Cento Croci’s pass. A network of roads was graft on these main lines, granting a way out of the isolation to the coastal and inland villages.
Starting from the bridge that was rebuilt at the end of the 16th century, Via dei Monti was fragmented in several pathways that converged in Mount Bardellone, this allowed one to choose which path to take based on the several situations, needs and conditions that could arise. One of these pathways climbed up to Chiesanuova, which shaped its urban structure around the mule tracks, another one, partly still cobbled, reached the castle of Celasco, passing in front of the small church of Saint Bartholomew.
A third hypothetical pathway, likely one of the most imporant but with no written accounting of it, would head towards Ghiararo Creek, probably waded in its narrowest spot. Not far from there we would find the start of the climb Piè dell’Erta, in the vicinity of San Gottardo, that would end at Ceula – Montale. Nowadays to reach the beginning of the mule tracks we need to follow part of the paved road.
