CASTEL D'AIANO - Bologna
Guide to CASTEL D'AIANO
Castel d'Aiano is a town with 1,857 inhabitants in the province of Bologna. Its origins date back to Roman times, and it is believed that its name derives from that of the Roman family to which this area was granted. Its name is mentioned for the first time in a document from 969, a period during which it was part of the possessions of Countess Matilda of Canossa. Due to its location, Castel d'Aiano was long contested between the cities of Modena and Bologna, and for this reason it periodically found itself under the rule of one or the other; today very little remains of the castle, only parts of the walls and foundations. The church of Santa Maria Assunta, located in the center of the town, is very interesting, although it was completely rebuilt between 1959 and 1960 because it had been entirely destroyed during World War II.
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO
Castel d’Aian is the ideal starting point for those who want to spend time outdoors: the territory is rich in trails, covering a total length of about 130 kilometers, most of which are suitable for everyone, although there are some that include more challenging sections. Hikes can be done either on foot or by mountain bike, but there is also the possibility of horse trekking, seeking out routes different from the usual and certainly more demanding than a typical walk: it may be necessary to dismount and lead the animal by hand, but it is an experience worth trying!
Tutti i sentieri e le escursioni consentono di ammirare la natura incontaminata con la sua ricca fauna composta tra l’altro da daini, cervi e cinghiali, ma anche di arrivare a visitare i tanti Santuari e luoghi di interesse che si trovano sulle pendici degli Appennini, come ad esempio il Santuario della Madonna di Brasa o la casa-torre di Famaticcia, ma anche le splendide Grotte di Labante, scavate nel travertino dal passaggio dell’acqua e sormontate da una cascata che rende questo paesaggio ancora più pittoresco. Le Grotte si trovano all’interno di un parco adatto sia per escursioni a piedi che in bicicletta, inoltre ci sono vari punti attrezzati per organizzare barbecue in tutta sicurezza. Per altre informazioni sui possibili itinerari www.casteldaianotrekking.it/sentieri
EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS
There are so many events that take place in Castel D’Aiano:
in May, the Italian Championship of Vintage Trial takes place, a gathering and competition with vintage trial motorcycles; mid-June is the Festa del Borlengo, with food and wine stands where you can taste, among other mountain tradition specialties, the borlengo, a type of thin and crispy crepe, a typical dish of poor cuisine; the first week of July is the Festival of Wines and Ancient Flavors, with food and wine stands and local crafts; mid-July, in Rocca di Roffeno, there is the Great Fireworks Concert, a pyrotechnic show to music, truly suggestive! Always in July, the penultimate weekend, the Craft Beer Festival takes place, with food stands and the presence of several craft breweries presenting their products; at the end of July, the Festival of Ancient Trades takes place, with historical reenactments and demonstrations of ancient trades, live music and food and wine stands; mid-August is the Festival of the Madonna of Graces, a village festival with a show-market and food and wine stands where you can taste the flavors of the mountain tradition.
Town Hall of CASTEL D'AIANO
Nanni Levera Square, 12 -
Tel. +39 051 673 5711 www.comune.casteldaiano.bo.it
other useful addresses
A.S.L. (Local Health Authority) Hospital of VERGATO -
Via Dell'Ospedale, 1
Tel.: 051 674 9111
First Aid tel. 118
where - on the mountains of Bologna, towards the south
CAR: From the A1 Motorway, take the exit for Sasso Marconi to reach Vergato, then continue on the SS64 Porrettana towards Porretta/Pistoia; at Pian di Venola take the Provincial Road 69 and then 623 to Castel d'Aiano.
TRAIN : Suburban Railway Service from Bologna Centrale to Porretta, with frequent departures, stop at Vergato Station, then from VERGATO TERMINAL (2 minutes from the Station) take BUS TPER 727 to Castel d'Aiano
Castel d'Aiano
