Fiorano Modenese: Ceramics, Hilltop Church and Salse di Nirano

Fiorano Modenese can be explored through a wide variety of themes. The Pista di Fiorano represents a clearly dated chapter in Ferrari’s history, while Salse di Nirano features an unusual hilly landscape with mud volcanoes. There is also a Baroque church, a ceramics museum in Castello di Spezzano and a municipal acetaia. This allows you to incorporate culture, nature, craftsmanship and the history of the racetrack as different interests into your travel planning.

Badlands, mud volcanoes and marked trails

The Salse di Nirano Nature Reserve contains a depression surrounded by badlands. Numerous mud volcanoes in the hilly landscape give it an almost lunar appearance. The salse consist of cold outflows of salty mud and cloudy water, which form cones with small craters. There are nine well-signposted hiking trails for walks, open to everyone. In addition, there are four educational trails for activities involving schools and families. In the historic village, the walking route of the Itinerario s/Viste is marked by 13 large ceramic panels.

Church, views and historical traces

The Santuario della Beata Vergine del Castello is a Baroque church on the hill of Fiorano near the historic village. Its floor plan is in the shape of a Greek cross; the complex includes a central dome, two bell towers and two sacristies. From the rear terrace of the Santuario-Basilica della Beata Vergine di Fiorano, on clear days the view extends north to the Torre Ghirlandina in Modena and south to the clay badlands of the first hills. The Santuario della Beata Vergine del Castello is also the final stop on the Cammino delle Beatitudini. An archaeological site near the Santuario preserves the remains of the walls of the old castle. In the side sacristies at the altar of the Santuario di Fiorano, there is a collection of ex votos, painted panels and votive objects that have attested to popular devotion since the 17th century.

Ceramics and the history of Spezzano

The Museo della Ceramica di Fiorano was founded in 1996 and is located in Castello di Spezzano. It traces the history of ceramic production from its Neolithic origins through its development in the second half of the 20th century to the present day. Using experimental archaeology, the museum reconstructs ceramic products, tools and kilns. In the church of Spezzano, the Tomba di Ciro Menotti tomb was completed in 1929; the Renaissance-style chapel is clad in polychrome marble. The first inhabitants to settle here in the Neolithic laid the foundations for the culture later known as the “Fiorano culture”.

Aceto Balsamico and the Pista di Fiorano

The Acetaia comunale di Fiorano is located in the pentagonal tower of Castello di Spezzano and houses three sets of barrels for producing Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena PDO. It explains the traditional process in which cooked grape must is transformed into a typical balsamic product of the region. The Pista di Fiorano opened on 8 April 1972 and served Ferrari as a private test facility. It is more than 3 km long and has 14 corners as well as a chicane. An event first held in 2015 takes place every year at the beginning of May at the Cinema Teatro Astoria in Fiorano.

More destinations

For further orientation: Montagnana, Zocca, Serramazzoni, Campogalliano, Savignano Sul Panaro, Querciagrossa, Sestola, Medolla.

For the higher-level travel overview: Modena.