CASTEL DI CASIO - Bologna
Guide to CASTEL DI CASIO
Castel di Casio is a municipality of 3,427 inhabitants in the province of Bologna.
It is located in the beautiful Limetra Valley of Treppio, a tributary of the River Reno. The name is of Roman origin, deriving from “Vìcus Cassi,” meaning the village of Cassius. During the Roman Empire, it was a prosperous village, as evidenced by excavations conducted in 1836, which revealed funerary urns containing coins, some even made of gold.
During the Middle Ages, it was part of the holdings of Countess Matilda of Canossa.
In the twelfth century, after a six-month siege, Castel di Casio passed under the control of the city of Bologna, which sent a Podestà to govern it; the Podesteria of Casio was the most powerful and extensive of the Bolognese mountains.
Given its location, Castel di Casio has been the site of numerous battles, first with Pistoia and then with Florence, until it became part of the Papal States in 1506.
It was struck twice by the plague and, in 1470, also by a very violent earthquake that collapsed almost all the dwellings.
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO
Interesting to visit in Castel di Casio is the Oratory of S. Ilario, a small church dating back to 1100 with a single nave and a semicircular apse; inside one can still see what remains of some frescoes dating back to the 1500s. Very important for the inhabitants of Casio is the Perio Spring, known already in the 1200s, which is located within a small equipped park from which pure water flows. Typical of this area are the vineyard towers, some of which have been recently restored. It is worth taking a trip to Castrola to admire the fortified medieval village and the ancient bridge that connected the territories of Bologna and the Pistoia region.
Castel di Casio is just 12 kilometers from the Regional Park of the Suviana and Brasimone Lakes, characterized by beech, oak, and conifer forests, with the two artificial lakes located at the extremes of the park. For those who love outdoor activities, this is the ideal place: it has 30 kilometers of trails, natural habitat for a rich fauna, which includes deer, wolves, and roe deer. These paths are suitable for those who want a peaceful walk, but also for those who want to go mountain biking, or who want to reach the summit of Monte Calvi, at 1283 meters above sea level. During the winter season, night excursions with snowshoes are also possible. If desired, trips can be made to the picturesque villages of Bargi and Stagno. Obviously, being located between two lakes, there is also the possibility of taking a peaceful swim, but also sports activities such as canoeing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing, as well as rafting on the Limentra river. On the shores of the Suviana Lake is the Saltapicchio Adventure Park, which offers visitors no less than 10 equipped courses, suitable for any type of audience.
EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS
Various events take place in Castel di Casio throughout the year. Among these, we remember the Medieval Reenactment, held in the second half of June, during which, for two days, the village brings medieval atmosphere back to life thanks to historical parades, musical performances, street artists, demonstrations of ancient trades, and stalls where it is possible to taste typical products. In mid-September, there is the Festival of Agriculture, with a parade of tractors, typically agricultural games, music, and also the participation of Raab, the Rally of the Upper Apennines of Bologna.
PRO LOCO CASTEL DI CASIO
Via Vittorio Veneto, 7
www.prolococasteldicasio.it
Town of CASTEL DI CASIO
Via Marconi, 9
Tel. +39 0534 44 133
www.comune.casteldicasio.bo.it
other useful addresses
Local Health Authority Hospital of PORRETTA TERME - Via Oreste Zagnoni, 5 · 0534 20711
First Aid tel. 118
where it is and how to get to Castel di Casio
CAR: FROM NORTH ON THE AUTOSTRADA A1, THE EXIT TO REACH CASTEL DI CASIO IS THE ONE FOR RIOVEGGIO, THEN FOLLOW PROVINCIAL ROAD 325 AND THEN 62 TOWARDS CASTEL DI CASIO; ALTERNATIVELY, FROM BOLOGNA, SS64 PORRETTANA, TOWARDS PORRETTA/PISTOIA, THEN AT RIOLE DI VERGATO FOLLOW PROVINCIAL ROAD 62 AND 23 TOWARDS PROVINCIAL ROAD 52 AT CASTEL DI CASIO. COMING FROM SOUTH ON THE AUTOSTRADA A1 VARIANTE DI VAlico, THE EXIT IS BADIA, THEN FOLLOW PROVINCIAL ROAD 62 TOWARDS CASTEL DI CASIO.
TRAIN : Metropolitan Railway Service, frequent schedule, from Bologna Central to Porretta, Porretta Station, then local buses from Porretta Bus Station.
CASTEL DI CASIO
