Fogliano between Cultural History and Natural Landscape

Fogliano combines impressive historical points of interest with paths through an agriculturally shaped landscape and an important natural area. Those looking for a holiday destination with cultural history, activity and regional orientation can combine different travel interests here. When choosing a holiday apartment, it is particularly worth considering whether you would like to focus your stay more on historical discoveries, a circular trail or the landscape surrounding the Natura 2000 site.

Cultural History around Fogliano

The history of the place dates back to its first documentary mention in 888. A particular point of reference is the Oratorio della Madonna della Ghiara. It stands next to the former Fogliano railway station on the site of the former Pieve di San Colombano. The designations former railway station and former pieve are part of the historical classification of this place and should be taken into account accordingly when visiting.

Another striking building is the present-day parish church of Fogliano. It was built from 1627 onwards and completed in 1663. Fogliano therefore offers a specific connection to different periods of local history: the first written mention dates back a long way, while the parish church is a clearly datable testimony to the history of construction. Those who enjoy combining churches, historic buildings and local development during their holiday will find several starting points here for a quiet exploration of the area’s culture.

Exploring the Anello di Canali e Fogliano

For active days, the Anello di Canali e Fogliano circular trail is an option in its own right. The route runs through agriculturally shaped territory between Canali, Fogliano and the municipality of Albinea. In Fogliano, the circular trail leads to Villa Veneri. This combination of open landscape and a named destination makes the route an opportunity to get to know the area not only through individual buildings, but also through its surroundings.

When planning the day, the route itself remains the main point of orientation; information on length, duration or difficulty is not available for this page. Depending on your preferred pace of travel, you can therefore decide whether to make the circular trail the focus of a day or place Fogliano’s cultural points of interest at the centre of your plans. This distinction is useful for families when not all travellers share the same interests: some can explore the landscape, while others can engage more intensively with the local history.

Natural Area between the Rio Rodano and Fontanile

The Natura 2000 site IT4030021 covers the course of the Rio Rodano from the former Fogliano station to S. Maurizio. The area also includes the last and southernmost large fontanile of the upper Reggio plain. Five habitats of Community interest are also part of this protected area. These features give a stay in Fogliano a distinct landscape dimension and complement the historic destinations with a theme suited to walks, an interest in nature and deliberately slow-paced holiday days.

Fogliano is also located near a landscape of interest between the Secchia Canal, the Rodano-Lodola watercourse and the Rio Acque Chiare. The precise location of these waterways is more important for regional orientation than a blanket classification of the entire place: Fogliano can be viewed both through its architectural history and through the surrounding landscapes.

Getting There and Choosing Your Holiday Destination

Bus route 9 connects the Fogliano/Due Maestà area and the centre of Reggio Emilia with Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana railway station. If you plan to include Reggio Emilia in your trip or would like to consider a connection between these places when choosing your accommodation, this route is a useful point of orientation. Further information on travel times or stops should be checked separately for specific planning.

Fogliano is also located along the former state road connecting Reggio Emilia with Scandiano. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can therefore first decide whether cultural history, the circular trail, the natural area or the connection towards Reggio Emilia should be the focus of your stay. This allows you to make a conscious location decision without having to combine the different experiences into a single itinerary.

More Destinations for Orientation

If you would like to view other destinations from the broader selection in addition to Fogliano, you can find Correggio, Albinea, Scandiano, Casale, Casalgrande, Campegine, Sant'ilario D'enza and Reggiolo here.

To the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.