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Municipality

Albinea

 

The hilly area of Albinea has a tourist offer full of great interest, with its treasures and a wide range of places from visit.

For nature lovers the Ring Cà del Vento is always full of charm, made particularly interesting by the portion of Zone of Community interest which crosses, characterised by habitats of naturalistic value. Without going too far you can reach the Borzano castle, built in medieval times and rich in history which is linked to the Manfredi family, a noble Lombard lineage, who has played an important role in Reggio’s history. The rock on which it rises the castle is home to important archaeological excavations, from which emerged important testimonies of eras and peoples who have gone through the area.

More recently, Villa Tarabini, one of the most prestigious Albinetan residences, is appreciated in its complete splendor. Today headquarters of the Acetaia Comunale and cultural initiatives, including the “Albinea Jazz” review.

Recently realized is the project “On foot and by bike to discover hills of Reggio”, which also involves the municipalities of Viano and Vezzano on the Crostolo. Objective: to bring out the beauty of a rich territory of breathtaking landscapes, places rich in history and excellence gastronomic (Lambrusco, traditional balsamic vinegar, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and Spergola), as well as commercial activities and services of excellence useful to the visitor, who would like to spend even a short stay in the hills.

Canossa

 

Symbolic place of the Terre Matildiche is Canossa, located in the heart of the territory of Canossa, precious pearl of the Reggio Apennines and fertile center of the Val d’Enza, with its castles it preserves architectural and artistic marvels that blend with the enchanting hilly landscape. Do not miss a visit to the Rupe di Campotrera Regional Nature Reserve, a protected area located in the centre of the territory strongly linked to the history of the Canossa family and Countess Matilde. The Reserve is home to a wide variety of animal and plant species and is characterized by an imposing rocky peak of volcanic origin on which is located the Tower of Rossenella, part of the fortified system of Matildico. The road leading to the castles is known as “In Salita con il Sorriso” and aims to enhance the Canossano territory with the aim of educating our young people to pure values, through sport. The ascent leads to the monument dedicated to Scarponi, a sandstone sculpture made by the Scuola di Scultura su Pietra di Canossa, which depicts the cyclist climbing on his bicycle. The project aims to consolidate over time and transfer to the new generations the values expressed by a great champion of Italian Cycling, with its internationally known history, its culture and its traditions, bringing it to the attention of cycling enthusiasts and sportsmen. The Sculpture is located in a strategic point of the territory, the viewpoint of Cavandola characterized by a splendid view of the Castle of Canossa, a place that favors the desire to visit the castles of Matilda and know their origins and history. 

Stay up to date on initiatives in the Canossa area: Facebook Municipality of Canossa and Instagram @visitcanossa

Carpineti

 

CARPINETI, TO DISCOVER AND TASTE, BUT... WITHOUT HASTE!

A UNESCO-recognized Man and Biosphere Reserve, near to Reggio’s plains, but also to Modena and Parma- Carpineti, offers many opportunities for a slow and relaxing tourism, amidst history, culture, sport and good food.

On foot, on horseback, by E-bike, or by whatever means you prefer, you will be spoilt for choice: there are about 200 km of trails (all mapped, signposted and searchable on paper or via an APP) that will take you from the Castle of Carpineti, to the Parish Church of San Vitale, to the ancient Abbey of Marola.

Along the way, you will discover small villages with fortified tower houses, or you will find yourself in front of the portals of ancient medieval churches. From here, pass: the “Via Matildica del Volto Santo”; the “Sentiero Spallanzani”; the “Sentiero Matilde” and the “Sentiero dei Ducati”. At the end of physical activity, numerous hotels, restaurants, pizzerias, hostels and farmhouses, await you for “delicious recharges”.

On the last weekend of August, do not miss the thousand-year-old San Vitale Fair with food stands and street market (with all kinds of goods), where you can buy and taste unique delicacies at Km 0, such as Parmigiano Reggiano di Montagna,   the “Scarpazzone” or the “Savurett”. In October, in Marola, comes -for three consecutive weekends- the Chestnut Festival, which welcomes thousands of visitors. Since summer 2020, in Carpineti is active (at the municipal library) the Tourist Information Point, where you can find all kinds of material -in paper form, multimedia etc.- related to: accommodation facilities, monumental areas, maps of trails, commercial activities and more.

Carpineti is waiting for you, in every season.

Casina

 

Casina is pleased to welcome on its territory the Granfondo Matildica. With the castle of Sarzano, the villages, the tower houses and the unmistakable landscape, Casina is ready to host in its workshop of ancient knowledge, naturalistic and architectural assets centuries. Casina is in the Biosphere Reserve MAB Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, established in 2015 by Unesco with the recognition reserved for those territories which are distinguished by specific peculiarities

of equilibrium man-environment. The network of trails is extensive and the traveller encounters on the way a sudden variability: from the bush to the crops, from chestnut trees to the system of castles, parishes, villages, oratories, mills, towers, ancient streets which together constitute the most of the historical and cultural background of the Reggiana hill, the heart of of the lands of Matilde of Canossa. Who walks the quiet paths of Val Tassobbio meets a landscape of naturalistic values and geological. The forest of Péntoma is a place of high biodiversity with routes suitable for

everyone. On the road to the Granfondo stands the Castle of Sarzano, historical toponym of an ancient marquisate of the Emilian Apennines. Casina is also synonymous with gastronomic excellence: our territory is part of the production area of Parmigiano Reggiano Mountain production is one of the most important economic activities in the world. Typical of the area. Here history, conviviality and atmosphere come together in the name of beauty and eco-sustainability.

Castelnuovo ne' Monti

 

Castelnovo ne’ Monti – a village for sports

The town of Castelnovo ne’ Monti is the main centre of the Appennino Reggiano. A pole of reference for a vast hilly and mountainous area, thanks to its services, the important commercial network with which it is endowed, and the production of agri-food excellence such as Parmigiano-Reggiano mountain. Castelnovo is the heart of an area with a strong tourist attraction, which has in particular in the Bismantova Stone its identity and most interesting element, a unique mountain, by now known all over the world. Other points of interest are the Matildica tower of Monte Castello and the ancient Pieve di Campiliola which dominates the entrance to the village from the north side. But for several years the important project “Castelnovo, a village for sport” has also been active, which has focused on the constant updating of the first-level equipment on site, which includes the “L. Fornaciari” Athletics Center, with a facility for light athletics, a natural grass soccer field and gymnasium for muscle building; four gymnasiums, a tennis center with indoor and outdoor courts, a synthetic soccer field, the “Onda della Pietra” multipurpose sports center with gym, wellness center and outdoor area with summer pool, and which will see next year the realization of a new Palazzetto of sports with a large multipurpose playing field and 2,000 seats. This endowment has led to host here many national and international events, competitions, retreats, preparatory stages, and has also led Castelnovo to the role of National Center of the Italian Deaf Sports Federation for the next 3 years. To this is added the incomparable environment in which the village is immersed, with a wide network of trails, and which makes it an area of choice for many hiking and outdoor sports: walking, road cycling and mountain biking, climbing at the Pietra di Bismantova and many others. Castelnovo is part of the Union of the Apennino Reggiano, and collaborates regularly with the other mountain municipalities, thus implementing the equipment, but also the availability of accommodation.

Quattro Castella

 

QUATTRO CASTELLA, CYCLING THROUGH HISTORY

Located about twenty km from Reggio Emilia on the first fifth hillside, Quattro Castella is characterized by the presence of three large inhabited areas: the homonymous capital and the hamlets of Montecavolo and Puianello. Other hamlets are Salvarano, Roncolo and Rubbianino for a total of 13.500 inhabitants.

Quattro Castella is a “natural balcony” on the plain. From his four hills (Montevecchio, Bianello, Montelucio and Montezane), in fact, you can see on calm days both the alpine mountain ranges and the entire skyline traced by Via Emilia between Modena and Parma. Symbol of Quattro Castella is Bianello Castle, owned by town, destination every year of tens of thousands of visitors, and place of favourite residence of Matilde di Canossa, one of the most important in European history which is celebrated by the contrade every year, on the last weekend of May, with the Parade Matildico among the most important historical re-enactments in Italy with thousands of extras committed to relive the crucial events in the history between XI and XII century. 

Quattro Castella is a municipality with a strong cycling vocation: many tracks crossing the territory from north to south and from east to west forming a “sweet” and safe road network capable of on the one hand with the city of Reggio Emilia and on the other with the first municipalities of the Apennines reggiano. On the territory they also insist

San Polo d'Enza

 

The municipality of S. Polo d’Enza is located in the foothills of the province of Reggio Emilia, near the mouth of the Enza valley in the Emilian plain. Despite the many demolitions and reconstructions that have taken place over the centuries, the area of the castle of San Polo still retains a remarkable cultural interest and is today the most important historical nucleus of the whole municipality. Of the old castle, partly still surrounded by remains of walls, remains the valuable drawbridge of the eastern gate, with its two distinct arched passages. The parish church was once the chapel of the castle erected in 1494, it has no facade and the entrance door is open in the wall overlooking the square of the fortress. To the north of the capital stands the ancient and valuable Romanesque parish of Cavillano, which was consecrated in the middle of the 11th century. The present church preserves the basilica of the original Romanesque parish church, although

it has undergone considerable transformations; recent excavations have then found the ancient underground crypt bringing to light remains of medieval frescoes. Along the provincial road leading to Quattro Castella is the convent complex of Montefalcone, which, according to tradition, was built by the Franciscan friars on land donated by Guido Canossa at the beginning of the 13th century. From the point of view of hiking, the municipal territory is crossed by a well-articulated network of trails that connect the capital of San Polo with the main localities, allowing easy access to the main historical, cultural and landscape emergencies that characterize the territory of Sampola.

Vetto

 

Vetto is a concentrate of all the historical, environmental, cultural and landscape values of the middle mountains of Reggio. The municipal territory is characterized by more than 40 localities where there are buildings of historical and architectural value. In the capital, the ancient buildings of “Il Borgo”, “Il Castello” and “Ca’ Boccio”, a theory of small houses leaning against each other, give a suggestive note of “once upon a time” and form the backdrop to the beautiful church of San Lorenzo of pre-Romanesque origin. The municipality is 43 km from Reggio Emilia and Parma, overlooking a natural balcony towards the valley of the river Enza, at the foot of Mount Faillo and Marola, 442 meters above sea level. The first historical document of its existence dates back to 1142, in the Matildic era, but its origin is, in all probability, from the Roman era. The presence of a convenient network of hiking trails ideal for both trekking and mountain-biking, gives the opportunity to cross the territory and find refreshment in rural hospitality centers, where many of them, in the summer, give life to events related to good living and good food, animated by various voluntary associations whose aim is to enhance and safeguard the local territory.

Vezzano sul Crostolo

 

Vezzano sul Crostolo rises at the confluence of the Crostolo with the Campola, on the direct road linking Reggio Emilia to La Spezia, becoming a sort of gateway to the Apennines. It includes the hamlets of La Vecchia, Montalto, Paderna and Pecorile. Already in Roman times there were many “domus” located there while in the Middle Ages it became a garrison of control of communications to and from the Apennines. In the hamlets, in particular Montalto and Paderna, are visible fine examples of tower houses and medieval buildings, while in Pecorile is worth mentioning the village of Casola-Canossa. Among the natural attractions: the Pinetina di Vezzano which stretches from Mount Grafagnana to Crostolo with a mixed forest of black

pine and oak alternated with meadows and clearings and is inhabited by numerous fauna species; the SIC-ZSC Monte Duro, covered for three quarters by forests, whose marl and sandstone bones are visible above all from the “balcony” to the south.

The walking and/or cycling routes that cross the municipality: the Via Matildica del Volto Santo (Mantua-Lucca); the Cammino di San Pellegrino (R.E.–San Pellegrino in Alpe); the Ciclopedonale Matildica which with the Ciclopedonale del Volto Santo makes Vezzano s/C reachable on foot or by bike from Reggio Emilia; numerous circular routes including the Monte Duro and the Vezzano – Pecorile. The two main events promoted by the Municipality are the Festival of Wild Asparagus (1st Sunday of May) and the Fair of San Martino, patron saint (2nd Sunday of November).

Viano

 

The Municipality of Viano is located in an area of particular historical, cultural and environmental value that represents an evocative "village" in the Emilian territory, an example of harmonious coexistence between nature and man.

The landscape of Viano is a typical hilly one with a continuous succession of ridges and valleys. Thanks to the particular geological nature of the places, in medieval times, several defensive fortresses were built such as the Querciola Castle and the Viano Castle, which today houses a renowned farmhouse. In the oldest rural villages we find tower houses such as the one in the village of San Polo or in the village of Cadonega where it is possible treat yourself to a moment of relaxation at the Borgo Cadonega Relais & Spa. The Art Nouveau lookout point of Cavazzone is evocative.

In the hamlet of San Giovanni di Querciola, you can find the mystical and religious place par excellence or the sanctuary Madonna di San Siro dating back to 1302.

Of particular effect are the famous sauces of Regnano and Casola Querciola, small mud volcanoes sometimes protagonists of spectacular eruptions.

The itineraries of taste allow you to immerse yourself in the varied world of food and wine among restaurants, agritourisms and dairies titled pluritititolati.

Sport and health find their place in the paths of the heart that allow everyone to make walks and long bike rides.

For a few years the town of Viano can boast of the titles of City of Truffle and city of mechatronics

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