Eight tourist routes for discovering Terre di Castelli and Montese
To support and promote the excellence of the territory in terms of nature, history and food and wine: this is the objective of Lapam Licom, in collaboration with the Terre di Castelli Union and the Municipality of Montese, through the creation of eight tourist routes.
An invitation to discover the territory and its tradition. Ideal routes for families, friends, hikers and mountain bikers; none require special technical or physical skills.
For each of them, the result is assured: enchanting places for those who love to be in the midst of nature, savour traditional products and visit places with historical and cultural heritage.
The routes are of different types, all of which can be followed free of charge through the Google Maps application and include all eight municipalities of the Terre di Castelli Union and the municipality of Montese.
ROUTE 1 - FROM THE FORTRESS OF VIGNOLA TO THE SASSI DI ROCCAMALATINA PARK
A cycle-pedestrian route from Vignola to the Sassi di Roccamalatina Park in Guiglia, through the historic centre of Vignola and the Percorso Sole (Sun Trail) in the natural landscape alongside the Panaro River. Vignola can be reached by train from Bologna or by car, parking in one of the car parks indicated on the map, also passing through the historic centre to see the splendid Fortress and Barozzi Palace. The route allows you to immerse yourself in the river landscape characterised by the presence of willows, poplars, alders and a great variety of shrubs, including hawthorn and dogwood. The various features of the riverbed are distinctive, marked by successive phases of erosion, deposits and sediments; you can also see walls and artefacts built in different periods to protect the waters. The route is practicable on foot and by bicycle (mountain-bike) and leads directly to the Sassi di Roccamalatina Park in Guiglia.
ROUTE 2 - FROM THE ANCIENT VILLAGE OF CASTELVETRO TO THE TERRAMARA OF MONTALE
A nature route to complete by bicycle that links Castelvetro to Montale Rangone, a district of Castelnuovo. It starts from the Acetaia Comunale di Castelvetro (Castelvetro Municipal Vinegar Cellar) and a visit to the ancient village. Via Croce crosses the hills of Castelvetro to reach Pozza, a district of Maranello. From here we take the Tiepido nature trail, a route immersed in greenery that leads to Montale Rangone. The Via Zenzalose cycle path leads to the Terramare Park in Montale Rangone, an archaeological park with a museum space dedicated to the findings of villages that arose in Emilia and the central area of the Po Valley around the middle of the second millennium BC. In the open-air museum, a part of the village has been reconstructed with a moat, an embankment and two houses furnished with pottery, utensils, weapons and clothing that faithfully reproduce the 3500-year-old originals.
ROUTE 3 - FROM ROCCA MALATINA TO MONTEOMBRARO
A hiking route in the Sassi di RoccaMalatina Park, leading from Rocca Malatina to Sasso di Sant'Andrea, passing through Montecorone and arriving in Monteombraro. Characterised by an intense contact with nature, it is ideal for a summer or autumn walk to enjoy the breathtaking views of the Modenese Apennines and historical-architectural treasures.
In particular, Montecorone, an ancient village whose fortified castle was mentioned as far back as 1279, was the birthplace of Giovanni Maria Bononcini, who was born there on 23 September 1642. He was the author of the famous treatise Musico prattico, published in 1673, which represented an essential compendium of the Italian contrapuntal art of the time for subsequent generations, and who was the greatest exponent of the Modenese instrumental school of the late 17th century.
Points of interest adjacent to the route have also been included in the map, for those who wish to return to enjoy the view or supplement the hike by car.
The SAS9-MO route is published on the Geoportale Regione Emilia Romagna and distributed with Creative Commons licence, Attribution 2.5.
ROUTE 4 - THE VENUS OF SAVIGNANO AND THE ABBEY OF MONTEVEGLIO
A scenic route to be taken by motorcycle or bicycle (for trained cyclists or those equipped with pedal-assisted bicycles) through the Terre di Castelli and Bolognese hills.
We start with a visit to the extraordinary Venus of Savignano, a historical and archaeological treasure housed in the dedicated museum, and then visit the medieval village of Savignano sul Panaro. Following Via Claudia southwards, we take Via Rio D'Orzo to the Castle of Serravalle di Valsamoggia and the medieval village. From Provincial Road 70, take the Via San Michele Panoramas route, and along the road of the same name, cross the evocative Via Sant'Antonio and Via Sassuolo immersed in the splendid panoramas of the Bolognese hills, to reach the Monteveglio Abbey.
ROUTE 5 - CASTLES AND FOOD MUSEUMS
A tour on the border between Modena and Bologna, combining the excellent features of the territory: nature, villages and castles, and above all the 5 Food Museums of the Terre di Castelli. To be travelled by car, the route starts at the Modena Sud motorway exit and arrives in Spilamberto with a visit to the Museum of Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, the Rangoni Fortress and the Archaeological Museum, and then moves on to the historic centre of Vignola, with a visit to the Fortress and Barozzi Palace. We climb up to Zocca for a night's stay, and the next day includes a visit to the Chestnut Museum in Zocca and the Tigella and Borlengo Museum in Guglia, the Museum of Ecology and Natural History in Marano sul Panaro, and a visit to the medieval village of Castelvetro and the Levizzano Castle. On the third day, a visit to the ‘Salumeria’ Museum in Castelnuovo Rangone (Charcuterie Museum) and a visit to the statue of the piglet in the square, before returning to the Modena Sud motorway exit.
ROUTE 6 - ON THE VIA ROMEA NONANTOLANA - FROM THE ABBEY OF NONANTOLA TO THE CROCE ARCANA
The Via Romea Nonantolana is a thousand-year-old communication route between northern Italy and Rome. Established around the 8th century, the route follows the course of the Panaro river through the Emilian plain and the Modena Apennines, arriving in the Pistoia area, and then joins the Via Francigena at the Arno River. Route 6 retraces the stretch of the pilgrims' path from the Abbey of Nonantola to the Croce Arcana, with a variant to be travelled by bicycle. In addition to historical, artistic, cultural and food and wine excellences, a section of the route has been dedicated to places of worship, in order to spiritually retrace the stretch of the Via Romea Nonantolana.
Starting from the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel and the Abbey of Nonantola, and passing through Castelfranco Emilia, San Cesario sul Panaro, we arrive at the Terre di Castelli Union: the historic centre of Spilamberto and Vignola, Marano sul Panaro, Pieve di Trebbo di Guiglia, to arrive at Verucchia Montese. The last stretch leads to Fanano and the Croce Arcana on the border with Tuscany.
The complete route of the entire Via Romea Nonantolana, including the GPX files that can be downloaded and used by users for navigation, are available on the dedicated site of the Via Romea Nonantolana Association (http://www.viaromeanonantolana.org/), whom we thank for their availability and collaboration.
ROUTE 7 - ALONG THE GOTHIC LINE
The Gothic Line is a defensive line created in the final phase of the Second World War, which ran from the coast between Massa and La Spezia to the Adriatic coast and crossed the Apuan Alps, the Garfagnana, the Modena Apennines, the Bologna Apennines, the upper Arno Valley and the upper Tiber Valley, and ending with the fortifications between Pesaro and Rimini.
Created by the German armies that had withdrawn from central and southern Italy after the Allies had liberated Rome and Florence, it formed a front of over three hundred kilometres, cutting Italy in two from the Tyrrhenian to the Adriatic, which for eight months blocked the advance of the Allied troops and was to be the theatre of one of the main turning points of the conflict. An almost obligatory route to get to know and rediscover a fundamental moment in Italy’s history, directly in the places and spots where history happened.
Starting from the Montese Fortress and a visit to the historical Museum, then a short walk in the centre of the village, the CAI excursion route begins from Via Vereta, leading to Monteforte and the hamlet of Iola to visit the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena and the Iola Museum dedicated to the Gothic Line.
Track CAI 444-MO published on the Geoportale Regione Emilia Romagna and distributed with Creative Commons licence, Attribution 2.5.
ROUTE 8 - CYCLING FROM MODENA TO VIGNOLA
A bike tour incorporating motors and flavours, 'warming up the engines' with a visit to the Enzo Ferrari Birthplace Museum in Modena and the Maserati showroom. Along Strada Minutara and Via Campi we cross the city of Modena, arriving at the gates of the city in the Vaciglio area. From San Donnino we reach Castelnuovo Rangone via the beautiful cycle path through the countryside. Visit to the Museo della Salumeria Villani MuSa (Cured Meats Museum) and take a selfie in front of the piglet statue in the centre of Castelnuovo Rangone. Stop in Spilamberto at the Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar and visit the splendid Rangoni Fortress. Arrival in Vignola via the route along the Via Vignolese with a visit to Barozzi Palace and the Vignola Fortress.
NOTE: it is possible to start the route by arriving in Modena or Vignola by train. In Modena, the central train station is a short walk from the Enzo Ferrari Birthplace Museum, while in Vignola the train station is a short walk from the historic centre. Vignola train station is connected to Bologna but not to Modena, so this must be taken into account should you opt to return home by train.