MOLINELLA - Bologna

MOLINELLA Guide

Molinella is a town of 15,576 inhabitants in the province of Bologna.

The name probably derives from the large number of mills in the area, which were essential to the economy. Its origins can be traced back to the Villanovan civilization, but there are also testimonies of Roman and Gallic settlements, although the first document mentioning Molinella dates back to 1322.

At the end of the 13th century, there were conflicts between the Este family and the City of Bologna, until in 1500 Molinella became part of the Papal States. In 1630, it was struck by the plague, like many other areas of Northern Italy.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN MOLINELLA

MALVEZZI FOREST

As you stroll through Molinella’s historic centre, you cannot miss the Bell Tower beside the 15th-century Church of San Matteo, now used as an auditorium.

The striking Santo Stefano Tower stands opposite the auditorium. Originally a bell tower and later a prison, it has recently been restored and now hosts exhibitions and theatrical events. Also worth a visit is Selva Malvezzi, which retains its historic character as a 15th-century feudal village, once the seat of the noble Malvezzi family.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the road to Selva Malvezzi passes through Vallazza, an 85-hectare wetland. Its many pools are fringed with reeds and several species of poplar. Here you can admire water lilies and spot frogs, turtles and a variety of birds, including grey herons and coots.

PARACHUTING AT MOLINELLA

For those who love strong emotions, Molinella has the largest skydiving center in Italy, open every weekend: in addition to courses for those approaching this discipline for the first time, tandem jumps with the most experienced instructors are also available, allowing one to experience flying at 200 kilometers per hour in complete safety. At Molinella, there is also a wind tunnel, a true free fall simulator, where anyone can have fun experimenting with the sensations of a jump, from children who will surely have a great time to more experienced skydivers who may use it to perfect their skills. Here, jumps of every level and difficulty can be performed, from high-altitude jumps to hop and pop, and night jumps from helicopters, hot air balloons, or sea jumps are also organized periodically.

FAIRS AND EVENTS

The events that take place in Molinella throughout the year vary: in mid-June there is "Imbirria...moli," a beer festival with typical and non-typical Street Food stands, including a Bavarian cuisine stand, along with many excellent beers and live music; at the end of September, in the beautiful setting of Selva Malvezzi, there is the Santa Croce Festival, where you can taste many traditional dishes such as tortelloni with various fillings, tagliatelle, grilled meat, and many homemade desserts, all accompanied by live music and shows.

How to get to Molinella

MOLINELLA is located about 40 km from Bologna and is accessible from there:

by CAR: State Road 64 and Provincial Road 5 San Donato then Provincial Road 6 or State Road 253 San Vitale then Provincial Road 6
by TRAIN: From BOLOGNA CENTRALE , Bologna-PORTOMAGGIORE line , MOLINELLA station

MOLINELLA

Info & Useful Contacts

Pro Loco MOLINELLA
P.zza Martoni 20
Tel. +39 051 690 6854

Town of MOLINELLA
Piazza Q. Filopanti, 11
Tel.: +39 051 692 8111
www.comune.molinella.bo.it

other useful addresses