• Emilia-Romagna

• Regional Parks

• Apennines - Po River Basin

The Rose on the Sasso

"Rosa sul Sasso" is not a new botanic species appeared all of a sudden on the summit of the Sasso, but a Wind Rose in sandstone used to provide precise indications on the landscape which can be seen from the Park most panoramic point.
The Rose has been built by the sculptor from Zocca Bernardino Bertarini and has been laid by the Park staff, on 5th May 2004.

'Le Cince' Naturalistic Center

It is situated in the typical gully area at the bottom of the mountains and it gives the opportunity to observe particular geomorphological aspects and the thermophyle flora on the hills with oak woods and grasslands. Moreover, there are several spontaneous orchids, and many other species such as the peony, the burning bush, and the dog's tooth violet. The fauna is very rich too, and it is possible to find traces of many species, among which the wild boar and the roe deer.

For information: Marano sul Panaro Town Hall (Culture Office) - Tel. 059/793004 - Fax 059/744116
Ecology and Natural History Museum in Piazza Matteotti, 28 - 41054 Marano sul Panaro - Tel. and Fax 059/744103 - E-mail: museo.sc.nat@libero.it - www.cisniar.it

Bosco delle Tane

Area of naturalistic interest

An area situated beyond the Agriturismo Monduzzi, between the village of Zocchetta in the East and the village of Montecorone in the North. In the wood mainly dominated by chestnut trees there are sandstone rocks which allowed the formation of caves. The popular imagination gave them fantastic names such as "La Tana della Celeste", "delle Felci Pendenti" or "del Gatto Ma mone". The water has dug fascinating gorges. The fauna populating the area is typical of the Apennine chain.

Monte della Riva

Area of naturalistic interest

With a maximum height of 808 m. above sea-level, it is a ridge stretching from East to West and dominating the high valley of the river Panaro. The slope with a southern exposure is dry and sunny, and it is mainly covered by Downy oaks and Black pines, while in the North Chestnut trees and Hornbeams grow. To visit the area you can follow the ring-route 400/2 which, climbing from the South, offers wonderful views over the Apennine ridge, while if you choose the northern slope you will go through a thick chestnut tree wood. The alternative 400/b of Missano is also interesting.

Sasso di S.Andrea

Area of naturalistic interest

Very interesting for its environment and landscape, it is a huge outcrop consisting of arenaceous-calcareous rock of sedimentary origins (about 25 millions of years ago from ancient sea basins). It is situated in the North of the Fosso della Bura and it has been shaped by the atmospherical events which gave it its current aspect. As the near pinnacles of the Sassi di Roccamalatina, it is one of the ideal environments for the presence of some species of birds of prey.

Ecology and Natural History Museum in Marano sul Panaro

Each section consists of cases, panels, aquaria, and different dioramas representing the most important natural environments, from the plain to the Alto Appennino Modenese. Moreover, there are a rich library and newspaper and periodical library, a projection hall, and an equipped scientific lab for students and teachers. There are zoological, mineralogical, paleontological, botanical, and mycological finds in the following halls: wetlands, grasslands, forestal environments, ecology, and geopaleontology.

Piazza Matteotti, 28 - 41054 Marano sul Panaro (MO) - Tel. and Fax 059/744103 - E-mail: museo@cisniar.it - www.cisniar.it/museo.htm
Opening hours: on Sundays from 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.
Guided school visits by previous booking.

Chestnut Museum and Borlengo Museum Workshop

Situated within the Hospital of San Giacomo, 4 km from the town center of Zocca, it includes a reception and three thematic halls dedicated to a photographic exhibition, the old tools for the gathering and processing of chestnuts, and domestic tools to preserve flour. In the Museum of Borlengo situated in front of it, exhibition hall with workshop for the study of the production of Borlengo.

Ospitale di San Giacomo - Lame di Zocca (MO)
Opening hours: from Easter until 1st November - on Sundays and holidays from 10.00 a.m. till noon and from 3.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

For information: Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park - Tel. 059/795721 - Fax 059/795044 - parcosassi@database.it

History and Villages

Country churches, fortresses, and tower-houses: the "stone inhabitants"

The architectural evidences of the Park tell us a rich history. The church of Trebbio, national monument, is a Romanesque-style country church dating back to the 11th-12th century which, according to the popular tradition, was founded by Matilde of Canossa (Matilda of Tuscany).
Tower-houses and watchtowers are examples of medieval architecture. From the 14th century, the tower-houses were both rural buildings and fortresses. In the following centuries and until the 17th century, they became inhabited private towers, also used for the pigeon and swift breeding activities. In the Park there are several examples of these architectural structures: Castellaro, Grilla, Pugnano, and Vignola.

Further information (Italian text)