Vezzano Sul Crostolo: Trails, Landscape and History

Vezzano Sul Crostolo combines impressive landscapes with paths through the region’s history. Between the Torrente Crostolo, the forests of Monte Duro, the badlands and the historic hamlets, there are different opportunities for a varied stay. Those looking for a holiday apartment can therefore choose the location according to their preferred travel theme: hiking, cycling, cultural history or seasonal festivals each lead to their own discoveries.

Hiking trails and routes for active days on holiday

The area around Vezzano sul Crostolo is served by an extensive network of hiking trails. One particularly varied route is the Anello Vezzano-Pecorile. The circular trail connects dense oak forests, impressive views of the badlands and stone villages. This makes it possible to combine nature observation and landscape impressions with visits to small historic settlements.

The town is also crossed by trails of importance beyond the local area. The Via Matildica del Volto Santo 4 runs from Reggio Emilia to Castello di Canossa through the centre of Vezzano and continues via the cycle and pedestrian route to the EcoParco di Vezzano. The first section of the Cammino di San Pellegrino leads from the Chiesa di San Pellegrino in Reggio Emilia to Montalto in Vezzano sul Crostolo. The entire Cammino di San Pellegrino is divided into five stages and is approximately 120 kilometres long. It was designed so that it can be travelled almost entirely by mountain bike; 95 percent of it is suitable for cycling.

Landscape between the Crostolo and Monte Duro

The natural surroundings shape the character of the destination. The Natura 2000 site IT4030017 includes the Gessi di Vezzano on the right bank of the Crostolo. Along the Torrente Crostolo, the water is bordered by steep walls of Pliocene blue clay; this clay contains numerous marine fossils. Monte Duro is covered by an extensive forest formation of great naturalistic and landscape interest, preserving numerous botanical and faunal features.

These differences make the choice of a holiday focus particularly clear: on the trails around Vezzano and Pecorile, forests, views and villages take centre stage, while the Crostolo reveals geological features. Families can vary their days between exploring the landscape, discovering local history and attending the scheduled dates of local events, without limiting their stay to a single activity.

Historical traces and local festivals

Montalto preserves traces of the medieval history of the Canossa family. On the grounds of the Chiesa vecchia di Montalto stand the remains of a church consecrated in 1172 and demolished in 1959, along with a 17th-century bell tower, a surrounding wall and a staircase leading to the church square. Several tower houses from the 15th century are also still visible in the town centre and hamlets of Vezzano sul Crostolo.

Further historic evidence is scattered throughout the area: Cavazzone is a rural complex of considerable architectural and historical interest, with a long portico, a defensive tower possibly dating from the 15th century and an Oratory of the Annunciation. Riolo preserves a 14th-century fountain and two towers incorporated into the middle row of houses in the settlement. Casa Rosini has an imposing 16th-century tower and a smaller 15th-century tower. Casa Caprari preserves significant architectural and pictorial traces of a 15th-century structure identified as the former Oratory of the Visitation.

The events calendar also sets its own highlights. The regularly held Sagra di San Lorenzo in Montalto offers food stalls, exhibitions and musical entertainment from 8 to 11 August. The Festa dell'Asparago Selvatico takes place on the first Sunday in May, with tastings, food stalls and a market selling typical foods. On the second Sunday in November, the Fiera di San Martino follows with a special market, exhibitions, handicrafts, musical entertainment and an amusement park. A historical, cultural and religious route also leads from Vezzano to Canossa and offers a variant to Montalto.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

When looking for a holiday apartment in Vezzano Sul Crostolo, it is worth aligning your planned stay with your own interests. For active days, the various trails and the two long-distance routes described above provide concrete starting points. Those primarily interested in historic sites can include Montalto, the Chiesa vecchia di Montalto and the visible tower houses in their plans. For a stay centred on regional traditions, the dates in May, August and November are particularly relevant.

For further travel planning, you can also discover Gaida, Carpineti, San Giovanni, Luzzara, Novellara, Bagnolo In Piano, Barco and San Donnino Di Liguria.

To the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.