MONTERENZIO | Bologna
MONTERENZIO Travel Guide
Monterenzio is a village of 6,028 inhabitants in the province of Bologna. Its name derives from the Latin Mons Renzuli, a name that the Romans gave to a mountain located to the east of the village. The first settlements date back to the Paleolithic, as evidenced by some finds found in the surroundings, but there are also traces of Etruscans, Celts and, of course, Romans. Like many other villages in the area, even Monterenzio has experienced a period of strong development during the Middle Ages, and even today you can see its ancient structure walking through little streets and alleys, which have not changed much over the centuries.
what to see and what to do
Worth a visit the Archaeological Civic Museum, one of the most important for what concerns the Etruscan-Celtic settlements of the area: here in fact have been found a village, datable between the fourth and second centuries b.C., and the relative necropolis, which included 170 tombs, in which were found some beautiful grave goods now exposed in the museum. The tour also includes the itinerary in the archaeological area of Monte Bibele.
Monterenzio is located on the eastern border of the Pliocene Contrafforte Nature Reserve, one of the largest in the region. The Reserve offers some spectacular and particular panoramas, characterized by golden sandstone rocks that cross the excavated valleys of the rivers Reno, Savena and Idice. During the Pliocene, between 5 and 2 million years ago, the whole territory was part of a marine gulf, so it is not uncommon to come across various fossils found in the rock; some of the most important findings that have been found in this area are now visible in the Museum of Geological Paleontology of the University of Bologna; among these perhaps the most spectacular is the fossil of the Pliocene whale of Gorgognano. The lovers of free climbing can venture among the many cliffs shaped over the centuries to climb walls of varying difficulty, given that the entire reserve offers a wide range of levels with which to try; among these we must definitely remember the Fosso Raibano cliff and the Rocca di Badolo.
But Monterenzio is also an excellent starting point for those who love caving and spelunking: in the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi and Calanchi dell'Abbadessa in fact, there are over 100 caves formed thanks to karst phenomena that characterize this area, as well as a large number of sinkholes and natural cavities of smaller width. Among the caves of greatest interest we must remember the Grotta della Spipola, discovered in 1932, within which there is a path of about 700 meters in which you can clearly see the activity of the water, which has created furrows and stalactites. Another interesting excursion is to the Grotta del Farneto, one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Bologna area.
Monterenzio is located on the eastern border of the Pliocene Contrafforte Nature Reserve, one of the largest in the region. The Reserve offers some spectacular and particular panoramas, characterized by golden sandstone rocks that cross the excavated valleys of the rivers Reno, Savena and Idice. During the Pliocene, between 5 and 2 million years ago, the whole territory was part of a marine gulf, so it is not uncommon to come across various fossils found in the rock; some of the most important findings that have been found in this area are now visible in the Museum of Geological Paleontology of the University of Bologna; among these perhaps the most spectacular is the fossil of the Pliocene whale of Gorgognano. The lovers of free climbing can venture among the many cliffs shaped over the centuries to climb walls of varying difficulty, given that the entire reserve offers a wide range of levels with which to try; among these we must definitely remember the Fosso Raibano cliff and the Rocca di Badolo.
But Monterenzio is also an excellent starting point for those who love caving and spelunking: in the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi and Calanchi dell'Abbadessa in fact, there are over 100 caves formed thanks to karst phenomena that characterize this area, as well as a large number of sinkholes and natural cavities of smaller width. Among the caves of greatest interest we must remember the Grotta della Spipola, discovered in 1932, within which there is a path of about 700 meters in which you can clearly see the activity of the water, which has created furrows and stalactites. Another interesting excursion is to the Grotta del Farneto, one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Bologna area.
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Among the events that take place in Monterenzio we remember the Festa Grossa, at the end of August in San Benedetto del Querceto, an opportunity to taste the delicious cuisine typical 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 an exhibition of historic equipment for grape pressing, a market for traditional products and tastings of wines and typical products.
Useful Info and Contacts
Tourist Information Office of MONTERENZIO
Tel. +39 051 199 875 60
www.prolocodimonterenzio.it
www.prolocodimonterenzio.it
MONTERENZIO Town Hall
Piazza Guerrino De Giovanni, 1
Tel. +39 051 929 002
www.comunemonterenzio.eu
OTHER USEFUL ADDRESSES
Health Service : Hospital Simiani in Via Roma 8, Loiano tel. +39 051 654 53710
First Aid
tel. 118
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FAI UNA DONAZIONE !where - on the hill of Bologna, to the South
BY CAR:From the A16 motorway the exit to reach Monterenzio is that of Bologna San Lazzaro then Provincial Road 31 and 28 towards the Provincial Road 7 to follow up to Monterenzio;
BY BUS: TPER Bus Service from Autostazione Bologna (adjacent to the Central Railway Station), direction Monterenzio
BY BUS: TPER Bus Service from Autostazione Bologna (adjacent to the Central Railway Station), direction Monterenzio