VERGATO | Bologna
VERGATO Travel Guide
Vergato is a small town of 7,714 inhabitants in the province of Bologna, which is about 42 kilometers away. Its origins are very ancient, even dating back to the Etruscan and Roman times: the "vergato" was a striped fabric used in antiquity, and it seems that this is the origin of the name of the city.
Given its boundary position between several feudal lands and important possessions, in its history many changes can be found in the territorial layout from the Middle Ages to the present.
It was part of the possessions of Countess Matilde of Canossa, then became the headquarters of the Captain of the Mountain (administrative institution wanted by Bologna), until it became, in the second half of the 1500s, an autonomous city.
For a time, in the 1800's, it was a member of the Papal State, and then became part of the Kingdom of Italy.
what to see and what to do
In the main square you can see the Captain of the Mountain Palace, which today plays the role of municipal building. Over the centuries, it has undergone many restoration work, the latest following the serious damage suffered during World War II. On the facade you can still see the 97 coats of arms (116 originally) and some inscriptions of the families of the Captains of Mountains who succeeded from 1440 to the end of 1770. Interesting the stained glass windows made by the artist of international fame and originated by Vergato Luigi Ontani, in the Hall of the City Council. The Palace is open daily except Sundays and entrance is free.
attractions in GRIZZANA MORANDI : the manors
Grizzana Morandi is absolutely worth visiting the Rocchetta Mattei, a 800's eclectic castle built by Count Cesare Mattei, a scientist ante litteram who devoted his life to a science he himself called Elettromeopathy, which had its greatest international success over the years 1820 and 1830.
Famous for his "curative art" and for a certain mystery surrounding him, his ingenuity and great allegorical strength of this building, which today has been visited after an imposing restoration work, is yet to be ingrained, even though finished.
In addition to the Castle you can also visit the Archives-Museum with various documents and finds concerning Count Cesare Mattei and his creations, la "Rocchetta" and "Elettromeopatia".
Famous for his "curative art" and for a certain mystery surrounding him, his ingenuity and great allegorical strength of this building, which today has been visited after an imposing restoration work, is yet to be ingrained, even though finished.
In addition to the Castle you can also visit the Archives-Museum with various documents and finds concerning Count Cesare Mattei and his creations, la "Rocchetta" and "Elettromeopatia".
REGIONAL PARK OF MONTE SOLE
It is worth visiting the historic regional park of Monte Sole, set up in 1989 to commemorate the Massacre of Monte Sole; the park, which is today a protected area, is the ideal habitat for many animal species, from wolves to deer, to roe deer, to many species of birds, such as the green woodpecker or the kingfisher. Ideal for a walk or a bike ride, but also for pleasant horseback riding, the park also has some interesting tematic routes: a historic route leading to the remains of the ancient Etruscan city of Kainua, another that traces the story of the Massacre of Monte Sole, and two naturalistic paths, one showing the changes made in the centuries ago by mankind, and one that allows animals to be watched in their natural habitat, and finally an artistic journey to admire the landscape that has inspired Giorgio Morandi, the great Italian painter and engraver of the 20th century.
LABANTE GROTTOS
A few kilometers from Vergato you can find the beautiful Labante Caves, dug into the travertine by the water passage and topped by a waterfall that makes this landscape even more picturesque. The Caves are located within a park suitable for hiking and biking, and there are various facilities for organizing barbecues safely.
EVENTS AND EXHIBITIONS
Many events taking place in the town of Vergato: in May, at Riola takes place every year the Sfrappola Festival, this year at the 62nd edition, with recalls of ancient crafts, processions in medieval dresses and gastronomic stands with local specialties such as tigelle , crescentine and sfrappole (a kind of frappe), to finish with fireworks.
Typical of the area is the potato of Tolè, celebrated in September with the Potato Festival, where you can taste typical potato dishes (to taste the potato pie with truffles).
In mid-October there the "Tartufesta", a great event celebrating the mountain cuisine and the goodness of the white truffle of the Bolognese hills.
Useful Info and Contacts
Town Hall of Vergato
Piazza Marconi 6
Tel. 0534 51024
OTHER USEFUL ADDRESSES
Health Service : Hospital of Vergato
Via Dell'Ospedale, 1
Tel.: +39051 674 9111
First Aid
tel. 118
where - on the hill of Bologna, to the South
by CAR: From the A1 motorway the exit to reach Vergato is that of Sasso Marconi from A1 and then continue on the SS64 Porrettana, direction Porretta / Pistoia.
by TRAIN: Metropolitan Railway Service, every half hour at peak time, from Bologna Centrale direction Porretta, Vergato Station.
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