MONTERENZIO - Bologna

Guide to MONTERENZIO

Monterenzio is a town of 6,028 inhabitants in the province of Bologna. Its name derives from the Latin Mons Renzuli, the name given by the Romans to a mountain located east of the town. The first settlements date back to the Paleolithic era, as evidenced by some artifacts found in the surrounding area, but there are also traces of Etruscans, Celts, and, of course, Romans. Like many other villages in the area, Monterenzio also experienced a period of strong development during the Middle Ages, and even today one can see its ancient structure by walking through its narrow streets and alleys, which have changed little over the centuries.

WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN MONTERENZO

The Civic Archaeological Museum is worth a visit, one of the most important for Etruscan-Celtic settlements in the area: here a village, datable between the 4th and 2nd centuries BC, and its necropolis, which included about 170 tombs, with beautiful funerary equipment now on display at the museum, was found. The visit also includes a tour of the Monte Bibele archaeological area.
Monterenzio is located on the eastern border of the Natural Reserve of the Pliocene Scarp, one of the largest in the region. The Reserve offers typical spectacular and particular panoramas, characterized by golden sandstone rocks that cross the valleys carved by the Reno, Savena, and Idice rivers. During the Pliocene, between 5 and 2 million years ago, the entire territory was part of a marine bay, so it is not uncommon to come across various fossil remains embedded in the rock; some of the most important finds from this area are now visible at the Geology Paleontology Museum of the University of Bologna, among which the most spectacular is the Gorgognano Pliocene Balenoptera fossil. Those who love free climbing can venture among the many cliffs shaped over the centuries to climb walls of varying difficulty, as the entire reserve offers a wide range of levels to challenge oneself; among these, the Fosso Raibano cliff and the Rocca di Badolo must certainly be remembered.
But Monterenzio is also an excellent starting point for those who love speleology and cave visits: in the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa, there are over 100 caves formed thanks to karst phenomena that characterize this area, as well as a high number of swallow holes and natural cavities of smaller size. Among the caves of greatest interest, the Grotta della Spipola, discovered in 1932, must be remembered, inside which there is a path of about 700 meters during which the activity of water can clearly be seen, which has created grooves and stalactites. Another interesting excursion is to the Grotta del Farneto, one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Bolognese territory.

EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS

Among the events that take place in Monterenzio, we remember the Grossa Festival at the end of August in San Benedetto del Querceto, an opportunity to taste the excellent typical cuisine of the Bolognese Apennines, such as lasagna, polenta, and grilled meat, all accompanied by live music; in mid-September there is the Grape Harvest Festival, with exhibits of historical grape-stomping equipment, markets of traditional products, and tastings of wines and typical products.

useful Info & Contacts

PRO LOCO DI MONTERENZIO
Tel. +39 051 199 875 60
www.prolocodimonterenzio.it

Town of MONTERENZIO
Guerrino De Giovanni Square, 1
Tel. +39 051 929 002
www.comunemonterenzio.eu

OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
A.S.L. (Local Health Authority) Simiani Hospital in Via Roma 8, Loiano tel. +39 051 654 53710