Discover Monte San Pietro: Trails, Culture and Local Delicacies

Monte San Pietro combines diverse trails with church art, landscapes and culinary traditions. Eight circular trails of varying lengths and difficulty are well maintained and signposted along their entire routes. The Piccola Cassia also passes through Monte San Pietro, where it forms part of the long-distance hiking trails. This gives visitors a range of ways to explore the surrounding area at their own pace.

Hiking and Landscapes

The Calanchi di Montemaggiore are a striking landscape area. They form an extensive basin crossed by gorges in the Argille Scagliose. A trail runs above the badlands and offers an impressive view of this eroded landscape.

Churches, Collections and Rural Heritage

The Amola Church of Santa Maria Assunta has been documented since the 14th century. It contains a Stations of the Cross created in 1793 by Mauro Gandolfi, consisting of 14 oil paintings on canvas. The church furnishings also include a pipe organ by Pietro Agati dating from 1757. Several clearly dated works and a long historical tradition thus come together in this church.

In Monte San Giovanni, the Church of San Giovanni Battista houses a functioning organ attributed to a member of the Cipri family and dating from the 16th or 17th century. Free charging stations for visitors with e-bikes are available at the starting point of Trail No. 7 and at the Badia, at the starting point of Trail No. 8. The hamlet of Case Vallona includes a typical Apennine farmhouse, a military tower, old wells, stables and haylofts.

A reservation with a specified date and time is required to visit the Bruno Nigelli Motorcycle Collection. The Collezione di moto Bruno Nigelli includes, among other things, motorcycles from brands that originated in Bologna during the 20th century.

Stargazing and Public Programmes

The Felsina Astronomical Observatory organises a programme every year featuring openings to the public and dozens of STE(A)M initiatives, with particular attention to accessibility. Between April and October, the observatory offers guided tours. During these visits, the public can observe significant astronomical objects through a 400 mm f/5 Newtonian telescope.

Wine, Products and Local Events

Monte San Pietro is one of the seven micro-areas of the DOC Colli Bolognesi. Visitor offerings include guided tastings of local culinary products. In Montepastore, the Sagra della Caldarrosta takes place on the third Sunday in October.

The Abbey of the Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano also adds to the area's cultural heritage. The abbey houses the Museum of the Badia del Lavino. Its exhibition route presents the history of the church and the area, particularly from the perspective of agricultural work.

More Places for Your Trip to Italy

San Giorgio Di Piano, Castel Maggiore, Pizzano, San Pietro In Casale, Rioveggio, San Lazzaro Di Savena, Sasso Marconi, Madonna dei Fornelli

To the overarching travel overview: Bologna.