Discover Castenaso

Castenaso combines a remarkable cultural history with the Idice River and a path connecting the town centre with Borgatella. If you are looking for accommodation for your trip and want to plan not just a place to stay but also interesting discoveries, Castenaso offers different areas of interest: archaeology, church art, historic milling, motorcycles and walking paths.

Villanovan culture at the MUV

A special point of interest is the MUV – Museo e Centro di documentazione della civiltà villanoviana. It is housed in the former hayloft of the rural complex Casa Sant'Anna in Villanova di Castenaso. The site is closely associated with the research of archaeologist Giovanni Gozzadini: between 1853 and 1856, he discovered and identified traces of the oldest phase of Etruscan civilisation there. This developed from the beginning of the 1st millennium BC to the final decades of the 8th century BC and was still unknown in Italy at the time. Gozzadini named it Villanoviana.

The MUV also displays the Villanovan necropolis of Marano di Castenaso, dating from the 7th century BC. On view are eight sandstone and limestone grave stelae or grave markers. Three are decorated with figurative designs, while the others were made in different forms. The museum offers guided tours as well as educational and play-based workshops for different age groups. This makes it possible to plan a cultural programme that combines historical content with age-appropriate presentation.

Churches, art and special stories

Part of Castenaso's cultural heritage is the Chiesa della Beata Vergine del Pilar, a church dating from the late 17th century. Its interior is distinctly Baroque and houses a religiously significant image of the Virgin Mary painted by G.B. Bolognini. The wedding of Gioacchino Rossini and the famous soprano Isabella Colbran was also celebrated in this church. Those interested in music history, sacred spaces and Italian art will find an independent focus for their travel planning here.

About 3 km from Castenaso, in Marano, lies the Pieve di San Geminiano. Its architectural origins date back to the 12th century. The church was rebuilt in Neo-Romanesque forms in 1929 and retains its 16th-century bell tower. Its different construction phases make it another historical topic to consider when choosing your day-trip destinations.

The Idice, historic milling and motorcycles

Castenaso lies on the banks of the Idice River. The CAI 801 and 801A trails run along the right bank and connect the centre of Castenaso with the village of Borgatella. Those who want to combine culture and activity when planning their trip can set aside this route as a walking or hiking excursion in its own right. The path represents a quieter, landscape-focused side of the town.

The park known as Parco della Chiusa contains part of a weir associated with Castenaso's historic milling activity. The Museo Moto Poggi COMP offers a completely different focus: it houses more than 60 Yamaha racing motorcycles. Depending on your interests, you can therefore choose between archaeology, sacred history, river landscapes and motorsport history, without reducing Castenaso to a single travel theme.

Planning Castenaso as a base

For travel by train, Castenaso station on the Bologna–Portomaggiore railway line is relevant; it can be reached from Bologna Centrale station. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore first consider which focus defines your trip: Villanovan history, the churches and their historical connections, the Idice path or a combination of different interests in a single journey.

For further destinations to help with orientation, see Baragazza, Camugnano, Vidiciatico, Castiglione Dei Pepoli, Altedo, Castel San Pietro Terme, Monterenzio and San Benedetto Val Di Sambro.

For the broader travel overview: Bologna.