La Villa: Tower House, Church Art and Badlands

La Villa is a small settlement near the remains of the ancient church of Monte San Giovanni. La Villa is home to a tower house dating from the 14th century, whose façade displays a wide range of architectural forms. The juxtaposition of ancient church ruins and medieval architecture gives the place a distinct cultural and historical character.

Church Art and Architectural History

The parish church of San Giovanni Battista is located near La Villa. It preserves works of art that were transferred from a religious building that preceded it, dating from 1300. These include an altar made of carved and gilded wood, as well as a remarkable group of apses. A still-functioning organ from the 16th to 17th century is attributed to a member of the Cipri family. Here, then, you can encounter art carried over from an earlier phase of the church, examples of woodwork and spatial design, and an instrument with a history of its own.

Pilgrimage History and Badlands

Two historic pilgrimage sites near La Villa tell stories from different centuries. The Abbey of Saints Fabiano and Sebastiano was built in the 12th century and provided accommodation for pilgrims travelling to Rome. The Ospitale was founded in the 16th century as a place of accommodation and rest for pilgrims and travellers. Together, these sites highlight two distinct periods in the history of pilgrimage. The Ospitale stands against an impressive badlands backdrop, on a small hill crowned with cypress trees. Here, its former role as a hostel sits alongside the distinctive landscape.

For visits to the abbey, contact the municipal library. Check the current visiting arrangements before your trip.

Landscape Around La Villa

Monte San Giovanni is surrounded by hills, forests and vineyards. The Sentiero 07 hiking trail offers views of the badlands of Monte San Michele near La Villa. The descriptions highlight different features: around Monte San Giovanni, the focus is on hills, forest and vineyards; along Sentiero 07, it is on views of the badlands. If you choose your trip based on landscape, you can consider these features as a focus in their own right, alongside the cultural and historical themes.

An Ancient Wine Route in the Wider Area

In the wider region around La Villa, the Via dei Brentatori, an ancient wine route, runs through the area. Since it was established in the mid-13th century, it has served to transport wine and must safely from the surrounding countryside to the city of Bologna. Unlike the pilgrimage sites, the focus here is on the transport of goods. This adds a regional perspective on the journey of wine and must from the countryside to Bologna to the history of churches and accommodation.

Culture or Landscape as the Focus of Your Trip?

Choose your destination based on the themes you want to shape your stay.

Discover more destinations: Canossa, Bibbiano, Reggio Nell'emilia, Succiso Nuovo, Borzano, Quattro Castella, Lignano, Novellara

Go to the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.