Nonantola: Abbey, Museums and Nature amid History and Balsamic Vinegar
Accommodation in Nonantola
Nonantola brings together the Abbey of San Silvestro, medieval towers, museums with abbey treasures, illuminated codices and rare samite fabrics, a deeply rooted tradition of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena, and the freely accessible wetlands of Oasi Torrazzuolo. This makes Romanesque architecture, the history of Villa Emma, a local speciality, nature observation and a cycling route that begins in front of the abbey the focus of your trip planning.
File:Vineyard - Nonantola, Modena, Italy - November 18, 2020.jpg
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Abbey and Romanesque architecture
The Abbey of Nonantola was founded in 752, after Astolfo donated the land known as "locum Nonantulae" to his brother-in-law Anselm. The Abbey of San Silvestro di Nonantola is considered an important and representative example of Romanesque architecture in the Po Valley.
The Torre dei Modenesi was built in 1261 and, together with the Torre dei Bolognesi, formed an essential part of Nonantola's medieval defence system. The Torre dei Bolognesi visibly preserves the building's former functions as a defensive structure. The Torre dei Bolognesi also houses the Museo di Nonantola, which traces Nonantola's history from the present day back to prehistoric times across four floors.
Museums and places of remembrance
The Benedictine and Diocesan Museum in Nonantola houses the abbey treasury, illuminated codices and particularly well-known parchments from the abbey archives. It also displays two rare samite fabrics that were found in the abbey in 2002. At Villa Emma, an exhibition reconstructs the flight of 73 Jewish young people and their companions through a Europe shaped by war and persecution. It uses photographs, documents and objects for this purpose. Between 1942 and 1943, Villa Emma accommodated a total of 73 Jewish refugee children.
The Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo was built between 870 and 887 outside the walls of Nonantola for the rural population. The Partecipanza Agraria di Nonantola traces its origins back to the charter of Abbot Gotescalco from 1058. Its permanent exhibition in the Sala dei Giuristi tells the history of the Partecipanza Agraria di Nonantola from the Middle Ages to the present day.
Balsamic vinegar and local tradition
In Nonantola, producing Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is a deeply rooted family tradition. More than 50 years ago, at least 20 local families were already taking part with their products in the Palio di San Giovanni in Spilamberto, which was established in 1967. The educational and certified acetaia of the Partecipanza Agraria can be visited and offers tastings of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.
Wetlands and cycling route
The Torrazzuolo ecological oasis encompasses forests, wetlands, hedgerows and a dense network of canals. The wetlands of Oasi Torrazzuolo are freely accessible provided that the rules of conduct are observed. A wildlife observation point at the Barchessa della Pantera is also accessible to people with reduced mobility.
The Via Romea Nonantolana cycling route begins in front of the abbey in Nonantola. After starting in Nonantola, it runs along the Canal Torbido for approximately 1.5 kilometres.
Discover more destinations
Zocca, Pavullo Nel Frignano, Castelnuovo Rangone, Serramazzoni, Lama Mocogno, Fiorano Modenese, Bastiglia, Colombaro
To the higher-level travel overview: Modena.
