Rifugio Giovanni Mariotti

The Giovanni Mariotti Refuge, owned by the CAI of Parma, is located at an altitude of 1507m on the shores of Lake Santo Parmense, within the Parco Nazionale dell’Alto Appennino Tosco-Emiliano. It offers 42 beds with kitchen service and hot showers. From the refuge, it is possible to reach all the major peaks of the Parmense Apennines: Monte Orsaro, Monte Marmagna, Monte Braiola, Monte Sillara, and to trek, among others, the ridge path that offers beautiful views on one side towards Lunigiana and the sea, and on the other towards the Parma valleys. The history of the Mariotti Refuge is quite long: inaugurated on September 12, 1882, it was renovated for the first time in 1891 to double its capacity. Between 1909 and 1910, it was almost completely rebuilt and expanded, coinciding with the 41st Congress of Italian mountaineers, held in Parma. On August 11, 1935, it was dedicated to Giovanni Mariotti during a ceremony attended by Angelo Manaresi, the general president of the Italian Alpine Club, and Mario Righi, the president of the Parma Section. Giovanni Mariotti was the president of the local CAI section (then called 'Sezione dell'Enza', which alternated its headquarters between Reggio Emilia and Parma) from 1893 and was distinguished for his great organizational abilities and the charisma he was able to exert. Mariotti passed away on February 28, 1935. The refuge also experienced a dramatic moment on March 18, 1944, when nine partisans took refuge inside, surrounded by Nazi-fascist forces. After two days of fighting, the Germans and fascists managed to break the encirclement and advance towards Monte Orsaro. The destruction of the refuge followed the immediate retaliation after the fighting. The Section decided to begin restoration work in 1946, which was completed in 1950, making the refuge fully operational again. In view of the centenary of the Refuge, significant renovation work began in 1978, mainly involving the construction of a new dining room and four dormitory rooms. The work was completed in time to celebrate the centenary of the Refuge on September 12, 1982, with various events and the publication of the volume 'One Hundred Years of the “G. Mariotti” Refuge at Lake Santo 1882-1982'.