The building that hosts the refuge belongs to a religious congregation. In the summer of 2021, Lilith and Nicola rented it for the summer season with a four-month contract that allowed them to “get a taste of it”. In April 2022, they signed a 6+6-year business contract. “We thought it wouldn’t make any sense to keep the refuge open in the winter, but, in fact, the Via degli Dei is busy even in the colder months. Moreover, the space is also ideal as a venue to rent for weddings, birthday parties, and other events. A series of initiatives have started being held on a regular basis this year, aimed in particular at those who live in Monzuno. It is also, perhaps, because of this that the town seems to have accepted us: a farmers’ market is held every month, involving producers from the Savena and Reno valleys and our hall hosts morning yoga and postural gymnastics classes attended by many women, who were missing a gym in town. We also organise theme walks and classical music concerts: Acatù is a precious resource for the area, and the local community is aware of it.

Wayfarers have available three rooms: two dorms and a private family room, all ensuite. All are doytate of bathroom. There are also two more bathrooms for those who choose to sleep in tents. In the summer of 2022 Lilith and Nicola set up a Moroccan tent with beds for those who are looking for basic accommodation but don’t feel like bringing their own tent. A shower has also been built in the garden. “In 2021 we made minimal investments, the building was ok and we only added a fresh coat of paint. Now, we are making some improvements, for example by levelling the land behind the house to create a larger area to put up tents. Next summer we’ll also start a vegetable garden”.

Acatù’s goal is to offer walkers customised services to meet a wide range of needs: those who put up their own tent can stay overnight for €5 euro, while a bed in the tents already available in the garden costs €10; ; a bed in the dorm is €20 and the private room can range between €30 and €40. Breakfast is always included. “As for dinner, there are two options: either a dish or a full menu at €20”, explains Lilith. The menu includes a platter of local cured meats and cheeses bought from farms in the Apennines that also take part in Mercatù (Acatù’s farmers’ market), a first course, and a dessert. “It’s a very tasty dinner, but we also cater for those who are super basic and prefer cheaper solutions” emphasises Lilith. Over the years, walkers have become a very diverse crowd, ranging from those who had never walked a trail before (“like those guys who arrived carrying weights in their rucksacks” – «come quei ragazzi che sono arrivati caricando dei pesi nello zaino”????, she laughs) to very experienced trekkers, all the way to 75-year-olds.