Campegine: Roman Traces and the Fontanili di Corte Valle Re

Campegine combines Roman history, a rural cultural landscape and a protected spring area to create a destination offering an unusually diverse range of discoveries. Those looking for a holiday apartment in Campegine can tailor their stay to their own interests: on the one hand, there are traces of aqueducts, historic sites and the history of the Cervi family; on the other, the flat paths and waterbirds in the Fontanili di Corte Valle Re nature reserve.

Roman Traces and Local History

The Roman aqueduct ran for a distance of 15 km. It conveyed drinking water from the springs of Gruma west of the Campegine area and supplied the important Roman military camp of Brixellum on the right bank of the Po. The aqueduct dates from the 1st century AD; a short section was excavated in the Campi Rossi locality. This makes it possible to explore the Roman past through several specific points of reference, without limiting the stay to a single attraction.

The church in Campegine also points to older structures: it is dedicated to Saints Peter and Paul and was built on the ruins of San Pietro Castle. The history of the Cervi family offers another historical perspective. It became a symbol of the courage and generosity of the farmers from the Reggio area, as well as of their steadfast determination not to submit to a totalitarian and violent fascist regime.

Corte del Gualtirolo and Corte Valle Re

Corte del Gualtirolo is referred to in documents from the 12th and 13th centuries as “Castrum Gualterii” and is regarded as the first organised and strategic settlement in the ancient history of the Campegine area. The former fortified complex included a castle with embankments, moats and drawbridges, as well as a church dedicated to Santa Maria della Neve. At the same time, the ancient Corte del Gualtirolo was one of the places of origin of Grana cheese. Those interested in the connection between settlement history, agriculture and regional food culture will find a particularly characteristic aspect of Campegine here.

The architectural complex of Corte Valle Re was built on the ruins of the medieval Montanara Castle, at natural springs. In 1992, the Emilia-Romagna region designated these springs as a nature reserve. Corte Valle Re was the centre of a settlement with farmhouses, a mill and a dairy. This site therefore complements the Roman traces with a historically rural dimension.

Fontanili di Corte Valle Re: Nature on Flat Paths

Access to the Fontanili di Corte Valle Re nature reserve is free, provided that the rules of conduct applicable throughout the protected area are observed. The paths open to visitors are completely flat. Those who value a clear, level route on a shared outing can take this focus into account when planning their day. Guided tours are also possible upon request.

The protected area is home to various waterbirds, including mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), moorhens (Gallinula chloropus), little bitterns (Ixobrychus minutus), herons and other duck species. For nature observation, it is therefore worth allowing time for the landscape and its wildlife rather than treating the visit merely as a brief stopover.

Arrival and Choosing Accommodation

When travelling by car, the Terre di Canossa-Campegine toll station provides access from the A1 motorway between Milan and Bologna. From Campegine town centre, you can reach the car park of the nature reserve via Via F. Cavatorti. After crossing the motorway, a side road branches off to the left. This information helps you plan the nature experience and the historical tour of the town as separate points in your day.

When looking for a holiday apartment in Campegine, it is therefore advisable to first determine your preferred travel focus. For Roman history and historic buildings, the aqueduct, Campi Rossi and the church built on the ruins of San Pietro Castle are the main points of interest. For a stay focused on nature observation and flat paths, exploring Fontanili di Corte Valle Re is a good option. The Fiera SS. Pietro e Paolo is listed as an event in Campegine for the last weekend of June and can be taken into account when planning a trip around this date.

Further Destinations for Orientation

For further travel planning, you can also view San Giovanni, Bagnolo In Piano, Bosco, Gaida, La Collina, Gualtieri, San Polo D'enza and Cerreto Alpi.

To the higher-level travel overview: Reggio Emilia.