Within the structures there were basins, inside of which containers of milk were placed: thanks to the low temperature the cream rose to the surface; if the “burraia” was large, all the phases of butter-making were done there.

Functioning up to the 1940's, it then fell into disuse.

The Municipality of Pontassieve first catalogued them, then cleared away the weeds and in some cases restored the flow of water to the basins. The successive phase was to include them in a particularly suggestive trekking route called, precisely, the Path of the Burraie.

Panels and explanatory notice boards were realized, special signs indicating directions were put up. Besides, an excursion guide map, in scale 1:10,000, was made.

Walking the route – 16 kilometres long - is within everyone's reach and is very enjoyable.

The guide map is available in two languages, Italian and English and can be obtained directly at the Town Hall or in the area's Information Centre, located near the Sanctuary of the Madonna del Sasso.

This is another important artistic element present in the ANPIL, a place of pilgrimage since the late 1400's, when apparitions of the Madonna to shepherd boys took place.

The church, dating back to the 17th century, is also a stop in the Anello del Rinascimento trekking route.

The walk takes 5 ½ hours. It starts in the village of Santa Brigida, near the cemetery.

Info: Environment Bureau, Comune di Pontassieve, tel 055 8360279