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Outside the historical centre the most characteristic excursion is that one to the “Madonna di S. Luca’S SANCTUARY”, on the ”Guardia’s Hill”, connected to Via Saragozza by a monumental portico of more than 3 kilometres (the longest in the world).
It was built within the span of 60 years, from 1674 to 1739, it was completed by Carlo Francesco Dotti who carried out the Sanctuary and the principal arch, the Meloncello from which the portico leaves Via Saragozza going up on the hill top.
The construction was financed by the faithful, art corporations and by noble families in order to protect, from the bad weather, the procession taking the image of the Madonna with the Infant Jesus, kept in the Sanctuary, to the town every year. The ancient temple dates back to the 12th century and was built to keep one of the Madonna’s images coming from Costantinopoli and that it was thought it was painted by Luca the Evangelist.
As evidence of the city devotion to that image the Sanctuary and the imposing portico were built.
From the top of the hill and through the way itself it is possible to enjoy one of the most suggestive views of the town.
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CASALECCHIO DI RENO - ZOLA PREDOSA -
CRESPELLANO -
BAZZANO -
MONTEVEGLIO -
CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE -
MONTE SAN PIETRO -
MONGIORGIO -
SAVIGNO |
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We start our trip going out from "Porta S. Isaia"; we talk for a short way the Porrettana getting to CASALECCHIO DI RENO.
Expecially in summer it is advisable to take a walk in "Talon Sampieri Park" as there are lots of music festivals, exhibitions and shows; unfortunately only some ruins of the Villa are left.
Some beautiful villas of the 15th century such as Ranuzzi Segni Villa called "Il Lauro" and Beccadelli Villa, called "La Marullina" are evidence of the holidays spent by Bolognese nobility of the time. Turning aside on the Bazzanese road we arrive at ZOLA PREDOSA where we make a stop at "ALBERGATI PALACE", an imposing villa of the middle of the 17th century, a valuable cultural and congressional centre.
We go on to CRESPELLANO, where we will admire some of the suggestive villas of the end of the 18th century such as Villa Aldrovandi, Villa Banzi and Villa Bianconi. Coming back on the Bazzanese road we enter into BAZZANO, where there is a charming example of medieval architecture: the "ROCCA MATILDEA".
It was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century and it keeps an interesting archeological museum. The castle accepts various cultural entertainements, Bazzano is also Known as an important agricultural centre; those who are interested in D.O.C. wines will be able to choose among Barbera, Sanvignon, Albana, Trebbiano, Pinot Bianco and Pignoletto wines.
We leave Bazzano and turn off towards the South on the provincial road; after some kilometers we find MONTEVEGLIO, a small medieval centre which is remained untouched in the centuries.
The wonderful S. MARIA ASSUNTA ABBEY built in 1092 is reachable through the vegetable gardens and the stone houses; from the historical centre we can enjoy a suggestive view of the Park of the Abbey with the historical peaks of Cucherla, Veglio, Morello and Gennaro mountains.
Before leaving it is advisable to taste the typical "Grana" cheese and the good "Bianco dell'Abbazia", "Pignoletto" and "Merlot" wines and other characteristic D.O.C. wines.
Now we go on farther on the Provincial Samoggia Valley road; we turn off along the west and we find "CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE", another medieval village.
We will be able to notice the beautiful ogival embattled door with the draw bridge. We come back now putting into the communal road towards MONTE SAN PIETRO, at Badia, where we visit the large Romanesque Abbey of the Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano.
Our trip finishes visiting some sumptuous palaces of the 15th and 16th centuries like CASALI PALACE, which contains some 18th century tempera paintings, Dondini Palace, now SASSOLI DE BIANCHI and MONTEBIANCANO Palace.
Another medieval village is MONGIORGIO with buildings of the 15th century.
It is 11 kilometers away from Monte S. Pietro. Coming back on the Provincial road we stop at SAVIGNO known in particular for Risorgimento rising.
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ANZOLA DELL'EMILIA - SAN GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO -
TIVOLI -
SANT'AGATA BOLOGNESE -
PIEVE DI CENTO -
CASTELLO D'ARGILE -
SALA BOLOGNESE -
CALDERARA DI RENO |
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We leave Bologna taking "Emilia Ponente"road, autside Porta S. Felice, going towards the so-called "Bassa" the Bolognese lowland.
We cross the "Reno"and passing through "Borgo Panigale" we stop at ANZOLA.
We can admire the ancient medieval parish "S. PIETRO and PAOLO'S Parish church" and the 13th CENTURY TOWER which is a rest of the ancient castle where Re Enzo stayed.
Continuing along the communal road to Sacerno we notice a number of rural buildings, manor-houses scattened every where; we go on along the trunk road until we get to S. GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO.
It is a village full of history and of a number of artistic works such as the churches, most of which keeps some important works.
In the interior of "S. GIOVANNI BATTISTA'S COLLEGGIATE" it is possible to admire a painting of Guercino's, a painting of Albani's and Pio's bas-reliefs; while the CRUCIFIX CHURCH keeps 18th century works by the Bolognese school.
Also the TOWN PALACE and the "PALAZZACCIO" are to be visited.
Among the pleasant surprises prepared by citizens there is the very old and famous Persiceto Carnival, with Bertoldo's mask created by Giulio Cesare Croce, who was born here.
We get to "SANT'AGATA BOLOGNESE", where in the parish church on a very ancient parish there is S. Agata attributed to Guido Reni.
Also the Holy Spirit Oratory keeps some frescos attributed to Nicolò dell'Abate.
We move now along the provincial road of "Bevilacqua" and turn off in order to get to "PIEVE DI CENTO", a small medieval village, contended by Bolognesi and Ferraresi for centuries, which is divided between the two provinces.
There are suggestive particos, 18th century palaces, churches and in particular "S. Maria Maggiore's Colleggiate Church", the "Parish", rebuilt during the first half of the 18th century, which keeps Guercino and Guido Reni's works.
We notice also the "Rocca", built at the end of the 14th century by Antonio di Vincenzo.
It is interesting, finally to visit the "Documenting Centre of hemp manufacture" which keeps the ancient tools of the old area activity.
We come back towards Bologna and alog the "Centese" Provincial road we find CASTELLO D'ARGILE, a small industrial and agricultural centre and we take the "Padullese"; we stop at SALA BOLOGNESE, where there is a wonderful church which dates back to the 11th century, built on the ruins of early Christian building and restored at the beginning of the century.
We go on the Provincial road until CALDERARA DI RENO, and we visit Villa Masetti which keeps some interesting paintings of the Bolognese school and then we go back to Bologna.
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CASTEL MAGGIORE - FUNO DI ARGELATO -
SAN MARINO DI BENTIVOGLIO -
BENTIVOGLIO -
SAN GIORGIO DI PIANO -
SAN PIETRO IN CASALE |
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We go out from Bologna taking the Provincial road of "Galliera" and after some kilometers we get to CASTEL MAGGIORE, an important agricultural centre and an industrial one as well (among the first ones in the 19th century); we go on to FUNO DI ARGELATO, where we find a beautiful 18th century villa, "Villa Pace"and an interesting museum which keeps instruments and finds of the ancient cultures of the area.
Then we get to S. MARINO BENTIVOGLIO and we admire the beautiful 16th century villa, the "Paleotta", decorated with A.M. Colonna, G. Reni and F. Brizio's works.
Those who are interested in agricultural history and working traditions, can visit the Museum of the rural civilization at Villa Smeraldi.
Going on we arrive at BENTIVOGLIO, with its famous castle, built by Giovanni II Bentivoglio at the end of the15th century; it was restored by Rubbiani at the end of the 19th century.
We come back to the Provincial road of "Galliera" passing through S. GIORGIO DI PIANO and after few kilometers we find S. PIETRO IN CASALE, where we find S. Pietro and Paolo's Church with its Romanesque bell tower, which dates back to the 11th century.
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VILLANOVA DI CASTENASO - BUDRIO -
BAGNAROLA -
GRANAROLO -
MINERBIO -
SAN MARTINO IN SOVERZANO -
BARRICELLA |
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We leave Bologna taking S. Vitale Street; after few kilometers we find VILLANOVA DI CASTENASO where we visit the beautiful 17th century villa, "Villa Marana", which is decorated in a wonderful way and is surrounded by a large park.
Five kilometers farther on we arrive at BUDRIO, a village full of history and traditions, with a beautiful historical centre which should be visited. There are several churches among which "S. Lorenzo's church", rebuilt in the 18th century by Torreggiani.
In the interior Gandolfi and Mastelletta's works are kept. There are also the Crucifix Church, which dates back to 1617, S. Domenico's church, Madonna di Creti's church, S. Gervasio and Protasio's church, which is one of the most ancient parish of the Bolognese province.
The town library and the art gallery are of particular importance as well as the theatre, which is located in the same palace and organizes one of the most prestigious play-bice of chama, ballet and opera in the province.
Finally we have to visit the handycraft shop of "ocarine" the famous terra-cotta instruments invented here last century.
Then we move towards Granarolo and we arrive at BAGNAROLA, also called "Bolognesi's Versailles" because of the wonderful group of villas, among which there is "Aurelio Palace", which dates back to the end of the 16th century and the beautiful "Floriano".
It has got a beautiful eighteenth century north front created by Torreggiani while the south front dates back to the 19th century and was created by the architect Venturoli.
The villa still belongs to Malvezzi and it can't be visited. In the vicinity there is also "Villa Ranuzzi-Cospi", called also "Palazzo di Sotto", built in the 18th century and "Palazzo Odorici", called also "Palazzo di Sopra" which dates back to the 18th century as well.
After Bagnarola along the provincial road "S.Donato" we find GRANAROLO where we recommend to visit some important villas: Villa Amelia, which dates back to the 16th century, the neo-classic Villa Lagorio and Villa Minghetti.
We get to another centre MINERBIO. In the historical centre we find the 12th century S. Giovanni Battista's church, the 12th century Rocca and the beautiful dovecot which seems to be one of Vignola's works. We turn off in the South-East of Minerbio and we get to S. MARTINO IN SOVERZANO in order to visit the wonderful Manzoli's castle, built in the 15th century and restored then at the end of the 19th century by Rubbiani.
Before the castle there is a medieval village where we find a very old tavern where it is possible to taste good wines and tasty sausages. |
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SAN LAZZARO - OZZANO DELL'EMILIA -
CASTEL SAN PIETRO TERME -
DOZZA -
IMOLA |
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Coming back on the provincial road of "S. Donato" we stop at BARICELLA; here we find some interesting buildings among which the "Malcantone" which is probably a former monastery and S. Maria's parish church where are kept two works of Fancelli's.
Going out from "Porta Maggiore" we take the Emilia Road we get to S. LAZZARO and turning off along the South we reach the "Farneto Grottos", which were inhabited during the Neolithic age.
The are one of the largest groups of gypsum grottos in Europe. Inside them ancient objects were found, now kept in the Archaeological Museum in Bologna.
Among the gypsum areas the "Spipola's Grotto" is one of the longest grottos in the world.
Then we come back to the Emilia Road, through OZZANO. In Ozzano there was the Roman Claterna village between the Republican and the Imperial ages.
This area is also interesting from a speleological and mineralogical point of view.
We go on until we reach "CASTEL SAN PIETRO TERME", a rich village from historical point of view as well as an important thermal centre.
The baths, classified by the Ministry of Health at a very high levels of treatments qualification, belong to the large geological basin which stretches along the Northen Appennino. Here there are sulphurous, ferruginous and low in mineral content springs.
We can't avoid to visit the historical centre where we find the Clock Tower with the "Cassero", which date back to the end of the 12th century and are the ruins of the ancient castle. Also the 12th century SS. Crucifix Sanctuary is worth to be visited; inside the bell tower we can admire a 55 bells Carillon which can play whole excerpts of holy music.
Two wonderful villas are noteworthy: Villa Guadagnini in neoclassic style and Villa Legnani which dates back to the 16th century.
We go on through the Emilia Road and turning off on the right we reach DOZZA, after 3 kilometers.
It is a characteristc medieval village near "Romagna", in the middle of the wine-producing area of Albana, Trebbiano and Sangiovese.
The village is overlooked by the tower (Rocca) of the "Sforza" period built in the 13th century and restored in the 16th century by Giorgio Fiorentino.
The interior, well furnished with pictures and furniture which date back to various historical ages is very interesting also for the instruments of torture and the trap located in front of the chapel's altar.
In the ancient "Rocca" dungeons there are the Peasants' civilization Museum and the Oenological Museum which are noteworth.
Another peculiar aspect of the village is that on the walls of the ancient buildings there are several "murals" made by very famous and less famous artists coming here every year on the occasion of the "Biennal Exhibition of the painted wall".
Coming back to the Emilia Road we reach IMOLA a very ancient city rich of history.
Among the monumental evidences we remember the ancient square planned Rocca with four towers at the corners, which date back to the 14th century.
In the interior there is an interesting collection of ancient arms and in summer it gives hospitality to interesting festival. S. Cassiano's Chathedral and S. Maria in Regola's Church are of particular importance as well, the first one was rebuilt in the 18th century and is rich of important works, the second one keeps a Byzantine altar and a beautiful 12th century bell tower. Among the Palaces, the Episcopal one presents a 19th century front (but the building dates back to the 13th century) and keeps inside valuable paintings by Vitale da Bologna's school.
Also the art-gallery is rich of "Bolognese" and "Romagnola" School's work from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Finally among the attractions we remember the important autodrome where important international races are organized.
Our trip is finished here. |
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PONTECCHIO - SASSO MARCONI -
PANICO -
MARZABOTTO -
VERGATO |
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The trip regards the villages situated along the Reno Valley.
We go out from "Porta S. Isaia" and take the Porrettana Road until PONTECCHIO.
We stop at "Villa Grifone"; inside it there is Marconi's Museum and Mausoleum where the scientist lies.
At Pontecchio we find one of the most beautiful villas in Bologna, the 15th century "Palazzo dei Rossi"restored by Rubbiani at the beginning of the 20th century.
We go on for some kilometers and we find SASSO MARCONI, located in a wonderful hilly region and it was one of the favourite summer holidays destination of Bologna nobility.
There are a lot of villas which date back to the 17th and 18th centuries. "Villa Achillini", called the "torrette", "Villa Albani", "Villa Bevilacqua" at Moglio, the 15th century "Palazzo Sanuti", called "la fountain", "Villa Ghisleri" upon "Colle Ameno" (Ameno Hill).
Going on along the trunk Road we turn off along PANICO, which was an ancient Stronghold of Panico count slip, whose Romanesque S. Lorenzo's Parish and a beautiful Basilica are still left.
We come back on the trunk road and we stop at MARZABOTTO; in the South of the village there are some rests of an Etruscan city which date back to more or less the end of the 6th century A.C. The finds are kept in the Archaeological Museum "P. Aria" and it is possible to visit the ruins also the most recent ones.
Marzabotto is also sorrowfully famous for the well known messacre of 1830 people caused by the Nazis during the 2nd world war; also the memorial chapel is worthy to be visited.
Our last stop is VERGATO; after having gone through the "Riola" bridge, 9 kilometers after the village, you will find the particular Mattei's "Rocchetta" building in Medieval and Arabian style.
It was built in the middle of the 19th century by Cesare Mattei, who became Earl in exchange of some territories given to the papal government.
Among the various activities done by that strange man he was also the architect and the engineer of this strange building.
In the interior there are various rooms to be visited: the English room, the white room, the Turkish room and another room dedicated to Pio IX; The sarcophagus where the Earl lies and a courtyard which reminds Granada's Alhambra. Today the building is used as a hotel and a restaurant.
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