San Bartolomeo among churches, forests and cycling routes
Accommodation in San Bartolomeo
San Bartolomeo brings together church history, historic buildings, protected forests and cycling connections. This allows you to discover the area from several perspectives: traces of cultural history are just as central as the nature along the Rio Coviola and the routes of the Cintura verde.
Churches and historic traces
The Church of San Bartolomeo was consecrated in 1151 and was under the authority of Marola Abbey. It is also mentioned in a papal bull issued by Pope Celestine III in 1192. A church dedicated to Saint Vigilius was mentioned in 1154, in a bull issued by Pope Lucius III, at a distance of 600 paces from the parish church. These precisely dated references make the history of the sacred an important topic for your visit.
Other places also point to San Bartolomeo's past. The former castle of Sassoforte, which no longer exists today, was probably located near the present-day Villa Anna, between the Rio Coviola and the Rio Quaresimo. Villa Anna is an eclectic, Neo-Renaissance residence. Casinazzo is a stately residence of architectural significance, probably dating from the 15th century. Don Gaetano Chierici also researched the Castellazzo di San Bartolomeo.
Forests, biotopes and wildlife
The “Boschi del Rio Coviola e Villa Anna” ecological compensation area is protected by the Emilia-Romagna region. The Bosco di Villa Anna is the most valuable biotope in this protected area. The Bosco di Rio Coviola is of particular botanical interest because of the number, diversity and significance of its plant species.
The Bosco del Rio Coviola is home to diverse wildlife, including various bird species, mustelids and small mammals. The Bosco di Rio Coviola and the Bosco di Cà Bertacchi are remnants of oak forests located at the lowest elevation in the province of Reggio Emilia. If you are interested in plants, animals and landscape development, you will find several interconnected nature-related topics here.
Cycling route and local paths
As part of the Cintura verde, there are nature trails along the Rio Coviola and through its forest, as well as connections to the Torrenti Quaresimo and Modolena. In the built-up area of San Bartolomeo and in the public parks, there are connections for cyclists and pedestrians. This allows you to plan your time around nature observation, walks or cycling, without limiting your stay to a single attraction.
The “Reggio-Cavriago in bici” cycling route runs along Via Nemo Sottili and Via Quaresimo to the center of San Bartolomeo. It then continues via the Rio Moreno to the village of Ghiarda and the Torrente Modolena. There is a playground along the cycling route near the old Church of San Bartolomeo. For families, this specific location can provide useful guidance when planning a cycling tour or stay.
Another focal point
The Matilde di Canossa Golf Club was established in the 1980s between the parish church and the Torrente Quaresimo, on the site of a landfill. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore weigh your options according to your interests: churches, residences and historic traces form a cultural focus, while the protected area, forests, nature trails and cycling route offer other ways to discover the area.
For further travel planning, you can also explore Viano, Casalgrande, Fogliano, Massenzatico, Cadelbosco Di Sopra, Cervarezza and Castelnovo Di Sotto.
For the overarching travel overview: Reggio Emilia.
More about the destination
Relevant information for your travel planning:
