Ponte Gombola: Bridges, Mills and Historic Paths

Ponte Gombola brings together distinctive bridges, historic sites and two differently designed circular routes, making it a versatile destination for your trip to Italy. The stops range from the Ponte di Gombola on the SP23 to the medieval Borgo di Gombola complex, taking you through different eras and themes. Depending on your interests, you can focus on bridge architecture, remembrance culture, the history of the mills or the routes themselves.

Bridges on the SP23 and the Rossenna

The Ponte di Gombola crosses the Torrente Rossenna on the SP23 in Gombola di Polinago. Its approximately 35-metre-long arch is made of reinforced concrete. The bridge was built in 1946 to replace a stone bridge destroyed during the war. The year places the structure in the post-war period; at the same time, the reinforced-concrete arch differs in its construction from the destroyed stone bridge.

A second bridge is the Ponte Cervaro. It is a stone bridge with a single semicircular arch structure and is located in the village of Ponte Gombola on Provincial Road 23 at kilometre 8+400. Near the confluence of the Cervaro and Rossenna streams, a small memorial plaque commemorates the Battle of Ponte Cervaro and the killing of Adele Ranuzzini.

The two bridges differ in material and design: the Ponte di Gombola has a reinforced-concrete arch, while the Ponte Cervaro has a stone semicircular arch structure.

Mills, Oratories and Medieval Traces

The Mulino di Gombola dates from the 19th century and is the last mill in the area still in operation. The functioning mill site stands alongside the transport structures as another tangible part of the town's history.

The Oratorio di Santa Croce stands on the banks of the Rossenna between Gombola and Talbignano. The existence of an oratory dedicated to the Holy Cross has been documented since 1006. The year 1006 is considerably earlier than the 1946 construction date of the Ponte di Gombola.

Borgo di Gombola, a medieval fortified complex with several buildings, is also located in the vicinity of Ponte Gombola. Access is through an arch made of sandstone blocks. Borgo di Gombola was built on a rocky summit above the Rossenna River. The location on the rocky summit above the Rossenna is therefore just as much a part of the character of the Borgo as the entrance through sandstone blocks.

Circular Routes with Different Focuses

Itinerario n. 2 is a 5-kilometre, two-hour circular route rated difficulty T. Anyone planning this route can allow for five kilometres and two hours as one continuous part of the day's itinerary. The two hours apply to the entire route, not just to individual sections. From the SP23, Itinerario n. 2 leads via Via Castello to Castello di Gombola; this section is 500 metres long. On the return journey, circular route Itinerario n. 1 passes through Ponte Gombola and includes a visit to the Mulino Veratti.

Discover More Destinations

Also, Lama Mocogno, Nonantola, Ravarino, Sorbara, Casa Pisa, Madonna Della Provvidenza, Faidello and Fontanaluccia invite you to continue planning your trip.

For the higher-level travel overview: Modena.