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This stage is divided between the city and the hills, starting in the center of Bologna, in the picturesque area of the Quadrilatero, home to food stalls, typical shops and lively bars and taverns, in front of the Shrine of Santa Maria della Vita. Crossing the city center, passing through Piazza Maggiore, Via d'Azeglio and Via Saragozza, we reach the Portico di San Luca, the longest in the world, which protects the pilgrims climbing to the Basilica. Immediately after the crossing of the Bolognese Hills begins, sweet landscapes and rich vegetation that accompany walkers through various green areas until the arrival to Rastignano.
This leg leads definitively out of the city, to dive into a very sparsely inhabited reality, the Val di Zena, where beautiful views abound, strongly related to the ancient presence of the sea in these areas. From the church of Rastignano, the path goes up towards Monte Calvo, passing alongside the ancient Furnace and the Cemetery. On the top of the hill, in the presence of the altar dedicated to Mater Pacis, there is an outstanding 360 ° panorama, where it is possible to have a view of the path that will be followed, the Contrafforte Pliocenico Natural Reserve and many Second World War clashes areas. From there, following in the footsteps of Fantini, a fundamental character in the history of the Bolognese Apennines, the trail heads towards the valley. Before the end of the stage, there is the suggestive abandoned village of Gorgognano and, near there, a view of the site where a Pliocene whale was found , a place today celebrated by a sculpture that depicts it.
The 3rd leg is characterized by a great abundancy of points of interest and beautiful views. From Zena the path climbs up to the Shrine of Santa Maria di Zena. Along the way it is possible to stare at the ancient Castle of Zena, of the Torre dell?Erede and the path passes by Tazzola village, which houses the truly peculiar Botroidi Museum, that is worth a visit absolutely. After the Shrine, the trail is along a beautiful and very panoramic ridge, followed by a descent and an ascent that leads to the small village of Castelnuovo di Bisano, where a small but fascinating church dedicated to San Giovanni Battista is located. A little further on, the beautiful Archaeological Naturalistic Area of Monte Bibele followed by Quinzano little village, where begins the last climb of the day, toward Loiano.
A really wealthy leg for shrines and points of interest, where it is possible to start truly to appreciate the Apennine landscape, among ridges, valleys, oak, beech and centuries-old chestnut forests. From Loiano we head towards Astronomical Observatory , where it is worth wandering around the various buildings and signs. A descent leads to Gragnano and its beautiful Church of Santa Maria Assunta followed by Campeggio, passing the village of Sumbilla , the way back is climbing up the path of the Via Crucis towards Monte CalvarioThen it is up to the Shrine of Madonna dei Boschi, guarded with incredible passion by the friars, and shortly after to Monghidoro. From here the descent towards the Savena valley begins, passing through Piamaggio, home to the Shrine of Madonna di Pompei and to two small but very interesting museums, to move then to the lake of Castel dell’Alpi. A final short ascent leads to the arrival in Madonna dei Fornelli.
A very fascinating leg, where small villages alternate with forests and points with beautiful views of the Apennine mountains, in particular Monte Cimone and Corno alle Scale. The village of Bruscoli is the intermediate stop, only stopover point located in Tuscany. From Madonna dei Fornelli, it heads towards the charming village of Qualto, then pass near Montefredente and then towards Ca' de' Santoni, with the characteristic Pian del Voglio Church in sight. While crossing a beautiful beech and fir trees forest, it enters Tuscany arriving to Bruscoli immediately after, a charming village with several points of interest that are worth a stop. A descent along the Biscione torrent, with its beautiful falls, and then the Gambellato torrent, to be crossed at a beautiful farmhouse, heads to Roncobilaccio. A suggestive climb leads to the magical Shrine of Boccadirio, located near the arrival in Baragazza.
A very fascinating leg, where small villages alternate with forests and points with beautiful views of the Apennine mountains, in particular Monte Cimone and Corno alle Scale. The village of Bruscoli is the intermediate stop, only stopover point located in Tuscany. From Madonna dei Fornelli, it heads towards the charming village of Qualto, then pass near Montefredente and then towards Ca' de' Santoni, with the characteristic Pian del Voglio Church in sight. While crossing a beautiful beech and fir trees forest, it enters Tuscany arriving to Bruscoli immediately after, a charming village with several points of interest that are worth a stop. A descent along the Biscione torrent, with its beautiful falls, and then the Gambellato torrent, to be crossed at a beautiful farmhouse, heads to Roncobilaccio. A suggestive climb leads to the magical Shrine of Boccadirio, located near the arrival in Baragazza.
Another extremely rich leg, full of points of interest, with exceptional views that accompany throughout the first part and historical and cultural suggestions during the second one.
From Baragazza the path moves in the direction of Castiglione dei Pepoli, skirting Poggio Castello and descending towards the river Setta. The following ascent brings to Ca' di Landino, a historically highly significant place, linked to the construction of the direct railway Direttissima Bologna-Firenze. Once in Castiglione dei Pepoli, a panoramic ridge leads to Mount Catarelto, a place as beautiful as historically important in relation to the Second World War. Lagaro, with its ancient history, and Ripoli, with the charming village of Serrucce, prepare for the Shrine of Santa Maria della Serra..
Grand finale, with an extremely pleasant and rewarding stage, with the beautiful views towards Montovolo and Monte Vigese gradually approaching.
The first part runs along the Brasimone torrent and the many mills that in the past took advantage of its waters, and then climbs towards the Montovolo Shrine, located in a unique place, that also houses the Oratory of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria and a memorial path dedicated to the Salvemini school tragedy, when a military plane crashed killing 12 students. The descent towards Riola di Vergato is full of charming attractions, from the historic villages of Sterpi and Scola, perfectly preserved, to the Rocchetta Mattei, a truly unique castle. Upon arrival, the church designed by the Norwegian architect Alvar Aalto, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta will welcome the travellers at the end of the Via Mater Dei.
VIA MATER DEI The Camino of the Marian Sanctuaries of the Bolognese Apennines
Foiatonda Cooperativa di comunità
Via della Libertà, 2 - Madonna dei Fornelli
40048 San Benedetto Val di Sambro (BO)
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La prima tappa, Bologna - Rastignano, non è ancora percorribile a causa di frane e lavori in corso.
Notizie sulla viabilità e tracce GPX delle tappe aggiornate a maggio 2024.