"Slow" Projects and Characteristics of the Municipality of Mulazzo

Environmental Protection and Energy: The area is served by a "door-to-door" waste sorting system managed at the district level (Lunigiana Mountain Municipalities Union), achieving an excellent 77.3% rate. Home composting is actively practiced by 291 households (out of a total of 1,955). Sewage treatment covers 82% of households via the Arpiola treatment plant (on the Mangiola stream). Regarding energy, the Municipality utilizes a biomass plant to supply public buildings (district heating) and has replaced 944 public streetlights with LED lamps, cutting energy consumption by over 50%. To support air quality, a public water dispenser ("L'Oasi del Pellegrino") has been installed; over four years, it has prevented the use of tens of tons of plastic.

Urban Quality and Resilience: Through redevelopment projects, the Municipality has paved the historic center with stone and enhanced the defensive walls of the villages of Lusuolo, Montereggio, and the main town of Mulazzo. Initiatives such as "Montereggio – Village of Booksellers" have revitalized areas that were otherwise marginal and at risk of depopulation. There has been significant adoption of ICT: tourists can download GPS hiking routes and access information via QR-coded signage. Furthermore, the densely populated valley-floor areas (Groppoli, Arpiola, Mulazzo) are connected to fiber-optic broadband. Infrastructure and Mobility: Although there are currently no dedicated bicycle lanes, a planning team has been formed with neighboring municipalities (Pontremoli, Filattiera, Villafranca, and Bagnone) to create a "soft mobility" route along the ancient Via Francigena. Bicycle parking facilities are already in place at municipal sites (e.g., the Town Hall and the Arpiola schools). Architectural barriers have been eliminated through the installation of ramps and elevators, and tactile paving has been laid at the nursery school, gymnasiums, town hall, Malaspina archive, and swimming pool.

Agriculture, Local Products, and Traditions: Recognized for its commitment to agro-ecology, Mulazzo is notable for the production of PDO Acacia and Chestnut honey (Lunigiana Honey). Over a decade ago, school canteens introduced menus featuring local products (such as traditional Lunigiana *testaroli* and grain soups). The Museum of Peasant Culture is located in the hamlet of Campoli, and a Municipal Designation of Origin (De.Co.) for Mulazzo is currently being established. Furthermore, the Municipality offers incentives—such as reductions on IMU (property tax) and Cosap (public space occupancy tax)—to those who reopen traditional shops in the town center.

Hospitality and Slow Tourism: The Municipality offers approximately 150 hotel beds across four establishments, alongside an equal number of beds in 26 non-hotel accommodations (farm stays and B&Bs)—a significant capacity relative to the population of 2,422. "Slow tourism" routes, mapped since 2012, are available, including the "3 Villages Trek" and cycling paths that are currently being upgraded. Operators and merchants publish their price lists transparently on the provincial portal.

Social Cohesion and Participation: The strong social fabric is supported by long-standing associations, including the "Fratres" Blood Donors group, which has over 400 members (16% of the local population). The Municipality has adopted family support and "Equal Opportunities" projects, while self-managed youth activities utilize the "CentoFiori" multi-purpose facility. Policy decisions are frequently made using a bottom-up approach, involving joint assemblies between public institutions and local business sectors.

List of Events 

The promotion of local traditions is reinforced through periodic events supported and sponsored by the Municipality:

Bancarel'Vino: A historic four-day summer festival dedicated to the wines and traditional products of the Lunigiana region; this event features a collaboration with Slow Food for the "Gusta la Lunigiana Slow..." (Taste Slow Lunigiana) exhibition area.

"Canto del Maggio" (Song of May): An initiative reviving ancient Lunigiana folklore traditions through a tourism-oriented and ethno-anthropological lens.

Literary and Cultural Events: The area is part of the "Montereggio – Village of Booksellers" network; every summer, the publishing industry and the "Premio Bancarella" (Traveling Booksellers' Prize)—established in memory of the booksellers from Montereggio—are celebrated here.

Medical and Educational Initiatives: Periodic evenings dedicated to combating childhood obesity and an established diabetes screening program, carried out in collaboration with the Carrara Diabetics Association and local medical specialists.