Polinago: Nature Trails, History and Far-Reaching Views

Polinago lies in the Frignano area on the Val Rossenna and offers views of Monte Cimone. The area combines natural landscapes with a history that can be seen in the church, the mill, the oratory and historic trails.

Architecture and History

The Chiesa Parrocchiale dell'Assunta was built in 1073 under the patronage of Countess Matilda; its present architectural structure dates from 1510. The bell tower was built in 1891 on the remains of a medieval structure.

Between Gombola and Talbignano, the Oratorio di Santa Croce stands on the banks of the Rossenna. After being damaged by flooding of the Rossenna and the nearby Cervaro stream in 1842, it acquired its present octagonal shape through reconstruction. An oratory dedicated to the Holy Cross has been documented at this site since 1006 and is associated with stories of extraordinary events. The Mulino di Gombola also dates from the 19th century and is the last mill in the area still in operation.

Nature Between Forest and Water

The Polinago area offers varied natural landscapes in every season and is suitable for walks, trekking, cycling and horse riding. The sulphurous spring of Bagni di Brandola is located in the forest, just a few steps from Ca' Vecchia and Messer Polo, in a natural setting with lush vegetation, trails and streams. The water features are not all located in one place: the spring is in the Bagni di Brandola forest, the stream is at Colle Ronco Vecchio and Ponte Ercole is at Lavacchiello. The spring was already known in Etruscan and Roman times.

At Colle Ronco Vecchio, the trail partly follows a stream that forms numerous small waterfalls and water features between the rocks along its course. From Brandola, a trail leads through the forest of the same name to the archaeological site of Ponte Ercole, which is also known as Ponte del Diavolo. Ponte Ercole is one of the geosites of Emilia-Romagna. The 33-metre-long monolith of Roman origin lies on the Lavacchiello stream. Part of the trail to Ponte Ercole follows the historic route of the Via Vandelli, a historic transport link between Modena and Massa in Tuscany, thus connecting the history of nature and transport.

Trails, Times and Regional Connections

When trekking, the Polinago panoramic route takes 4 hours and 20 minutes; by mountain bike, it takes 1 hour and 30 minutes. The chosen mode of transport for the route is therefore a separate factor in planning the day. Two provincial roads cross the Polinago area and connect it with Sassuolo and Pavullo nel Frignano; their travel times are considered acceptable. Those choosing Polinago as their starting point should orient their regional journey towards Sassuolo or Pavullo nel Frignano; travel times for both connections are considered acceptable.

Other destinations: Modena, Montagnana, Ganaceto, Campogalliano, Soliera, Sassuolo, Savignano Sul Panaro, Rovereto sul Secchia.

To the higher-level travel overview: Modena.