The hills between Modena and Bologna

Once a “pantry” of Bolognese tables due to the richness of its lands, the hills that extend south and west of Bologna offer the visitor views of unexpected beauty, including hills, gullies (the majestic clay formations that dot the landscape), villages ancient, castles and fortifications, once crossed by the Brentatori road, the corporation authorized to transport wine to the city. The itinerary starts from the charming medieval village of Monteveglio with the Abbey donated by Countess Matilda of Canossa to the inhabitants of the area who had defended the papal troops against the attacks of the imperial armies of Henry IV. The Countess is also credited with building the Rocca di Bazzano, which in the Renaissance was transformed by the powerful Bentivoglio family from Bologna into a summer residence. The ancient fortified village of Castello di Serravalle is also worth a visit, with its Renaissance tower and castle owned by the noble Boccadiferro family until the end of the 19th century. A few kilometers away from the farmhouse, you can find numerous sites of historical interest, ranging from the Etruscan era to the last World War, which experienced some of its most significant and dramatic moments on the Gothic Line.