San Bartolomeo: Forests, History and Cycling

San Bartolomeo offers several ways to explore: nature along the Rio Coviola, a long ecclesiastical history and a cycling route to the town center. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, your planned activities for the day can be a good starting point: would you like to focus on nature watching, local history or cycling? The distinctive features of the area offer some specific points to consider.

Woodlands and nature along the Rio Coviola

The “Boschi del Rio Coviola e Villa Anna” ecological compensation area is protected by the Emilia-Romagna Region. Within the protected area, the Bosco di Villa Anna is considered the most valuable biotope. The focus at the Bosco di Rio Coviola is on plant life: its plant species make it an area of particular botanical interest because of their number, diversity and significance. This brings two distinct aspects of nature into focus: the biotope value of Villa Anna and the botanical diversity along the Rio Coviola.

The Bosco del Rio Coviola is home to diverse wildlife, including various bird species, mustelids and small mammals. Sightings of individual animals may vary by season. The Bosco di Rio Coviola and the Bosco di Cà Bertacchi are also notable at the provincial level: both are remnants of oak forests and lie at the lowest elevation in the province of Reggio Emilia.

Churches, residences and local history

The parish church of San Bartolomeo was consecrated in 1151 and was under the authority of Marola Abbey. A papal bull by Pope Celestine III mentions the church in 1192. Another church, dedicated to Saint Vigilius, was mentioned in 1154 in a papal bull by Pope Lucius III, at a distance of 600 paces from the parish church. The dates thus point to different stages in the area's ecclesiastical history and to two distinct places of worship.

The history of Sassoforte Castle is another trace of the area's past: the castle no longer exists; its site was probably near present-day Villa Anna, between the Rio Coviola and the Rio Quaresimo. Villa Anna is an eclectic residence in the Neo-Renaissance style. The Casinazzo is a stately residence of architectural significance, probably dating from the 15th century. Don Gaetano Chierici carried out research at the archaeological site of Castellazzo di San Bartolomeo.

The local history also includes the Matilde di Canossa Golf Club: it was established in the 1980s between the parish church and the Torrente Quaresimo, on the site of a landfill.

Nature trails and cycling route

As part of the Cintura verde, there are nature trails along the Rio Coviola and through its woodland, as well as connections to the Torrenti Quaresimo and Modolena. Within the built-up area of San Bartolomeo and in the public parks, there are connections for cyclists and pedestrians. In this way, routes through nature meet connections within the built-up area as you find your way around.

The “Reggio-Cavriago in bici” cycling route follows Via Nemo Sottili and Via Quaresimo to the center of San Bartolomeo. It continues over the Rio Moreno to the village of Ghiarda and the Torrente Modolena. There is a playground along the cycling route near the old church. If you are planning a bike ride, you can consider this stop as well as the rest of the route; the sections described make clear that the route continues beyond the town center.

Choose a holiday apartment to suit your interests

When looking for a holiday apartment, a simple way to decide is to ask yourself which themes you would most like to explore during your stay: nature and wildlife, church and architectural history, or a cycling leg? The natural area offers different points of interest in its plants, biotope and wildlife watching; local history ranges from medieval ecclesiastical connections to research at Castellazzo. This can help you choose how to explore San Bartolomeo based on your plans for the day, without assuming a particular location or amenities for your accommodation.

Discover more destinations: Brescello, Reggiolo, Massenzatico, Bagno, Cerredolo, Cerreto Alpi, Cecciola, Castelnovo Ne' Monti.

For the broader travel overview: Reggio Emilia.