CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE - Bologna
Guide to CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE
Castle of Serravalle is a town with 4,902 inhabitants in the province of Bologna. Its origins are very ancient, and thanks to the artifacts found in the area, there are testimonies of the presence of Etruscans, Gauls Boii, and even Romans; however, its current structure dates back to the period when Castle of Serravalle was part of the possessions of the Exarchate of Ravenna, which here built a castle to defend against the invasions of the Lombards, a castle that was destroyed during the 8th century. Due to its border position, however, the castle was rebuilt shortly after, and it seems that in the year 800 Charlemagne stopped here during his journey to Rome.
After being part of the possessions of Countess Matilda of Canossa, it passed under the control of Modena following the Battle of Zappolino.
Today CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE is a municipality of the new Comune of Valsamoggia, created by the merger of the previous comuni of Bazzano, Crespellano, Monteveglio, Savigno and Castello di Serravalle.
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLA
Of the old medieval castle, you can still see the tower and the entrance, dating back to 1500, while the noble palace dates from the eighteenth century.
Very interesting is the Town Hall, from the thirteenth century, formerly the seat of the Mountain Captains. It is worth reaching the Church of Sant’Apollinare, just outside the village, where one can admire some interesting frescoes. A small curiosity: the castle was the residence of the Boccadiferro family from 1500 to 1800, and it is said that, on May nights, the ghosts of the Boccadiferro wives haunt the castle seeking revenge, and on these evenings one can indeed smell their perfume, as well as the lamentations of Boccadiferro himself, murdered in turn by his thirteenth wife.
Today the Palace of the Mountain Captains is the seat of the Museum of the Hill and Wine, an exhibition that allows visitors to get to know the territory through common objects used in the countryside. The Museum is divided into nine sections that deal with different topics that characterize the territory of which Castello di Serravalle is part: archaeology and ancient history are discussed, as well as the castle; the interaction of man with nature, both from an agricultural and animal husbandry perspective; grapes and wine: in Emilia Romagna, of course, a section dedicated to wine cannot be missing; nature with its badlands, which characterize the appearance of this territory in such a particular way; the inhabitants; the post-war period, because in this area the battles were fierce and the losses high; finally, folklore, the popular traditions that make every people unique. Starting from the Museum, one can also visit the many agricultural and wine estates, and perhaps even taste the typical products.
EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS
Various events take place at Castello di Serravalle throughout the year:
- at the end of January the St. Anthony's Bonfire takes place, characterized by a torchlight procession that goes from the castle all the way to the Church of Sant'Apollinare;
- in mid-March, the Pig Festival takes place, an event with ancient origins that showcases traditional methods of processing pork, followed by tastings and the sale of local products;
- in early July there is the Ploughing Festival, with exhibitions of agricultural machinery and artisan and enogastronomic stands, where you can taste tigelle, crescentine, and polenta.
where - in Valsamoggia west of Bologna
How to reach CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE:
IN CAR: From the A1 motorway, take the Bologna Casalecchio exit; from the Bologna ring road, take exit n. 3; in all cases, continue on the Bazzanese Street towards Maranello; coming from the North, the recommended exit on the A1 motorway is Valsamoggia, continue towards Via Emilia (State Road 9) in the direction of Modena, then at Calcara take Provincial Road 27 and then 569, both in the direction of Vignola. At Crespellano, follow Provincial Road 27 and then 70 in the direction of Zocca until Castello di Serravalle-.
BY TRAIN: Metropolitan Railway Service, with frequent intervals, from Bologna Centrale to Vignola, then take the BAZZANO station and Bus TPER # 656 towards ZOCCA
CASTLE OF SERRAVALLE
Useful Info and Contacts
Tourist Office IAT Colli Bolognesi
Villa Edvige Garagnani, Via Masini 11 Zola Predosa.
Tel. +39 051 992 3221
Town Hall of CASTELLO DI SERRAVALLE
Municipality of VALSAMOGGIA
piazza della Pace, 33 - loc. Castello di Serravalle 40050
tel. +39 051 671 0711
www.comune.valsamoggia.bo.it
other useful addresses
Bazzano Hospital - Viale dei Martiri, 10b Tel. +39 051 838811
Emergency tel. 118
