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Il filo d’Arianna

I taly

Italy is also known as “The Fine Country” ( “Il Bel Paese”). With his works of arts and monuments of great artistic value it is a real open-air museum.

There is so much to enjoy, from the most famous art cities to the many small towns, often little known but beautiful, from the beaches to the countryside, from the mountainous regions to the lake areas.

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Visit the country means not just getting in touch with its past, but also live the present with an endless variety of cultures, dialects, cuisines, traditions very different from each other.

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Despite the millions oftourists visiting our country there arestill thousand unknown places which would be worth discovering. The beauty of small towns and ancient villages, set among rolling hills and valleys, so rich in art and traditions…

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In this presentation we will focus mostly on our region and its characteristics. We will let you in our world and you’ll become more familiar with it.

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Emilia - Romagna

Tourists know Emilia-Romagna, our region, especially for its art cities like Bologna, Modena, Ravenna and for its Riviera. Seaside towns like Rimini are just one hour driving from here.

Emilia Romagna’s landscape is actually very varied: you can enjoy its hills, mountains, plains, beaches where you can practice different sports and recreational activities.

Emilia-RomagnaEmilia-Romagna

We are We are

herehere

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Bologna

Bologna is a city of very ancient origins and it has always been an important cultural and trade centre.

The traces of past civilizations and the footprint of the ancient medieval splendor are still very well preserved in its buildings and monuments, such as the towers and the porches…

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We use to describe our city with three adjectives…

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Bologna “the Red” because of the color of its building. They are made with terracotta bricks as our land is very rich in clay.

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Bologna “the Fat” because of the food specialties and culinary traditions.

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Bologna “the Learned” because of the Univeristy. Our Alma Mater is supposed to be the oldest in Europe (1088) and has always hosted thousands of students from everywhere in the world.

Il filo d’AriannaThe University old seat, the students’ coats of arms and

the anatomical theatre

Il filo d’Arianna Over 40 kms of porches

prevent you to get wet when it rains…

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This is exactly where we are, in the heart of the Valley of the Samoggia River

Valley of Samoggia River

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The Valley of the Samoggia River is located at the base of the Appennines, the range of mountains which divides Emilia-Romagna from Tuscany.

On the west side our valley marks the border with the close Province of Modena but it belongs to the Province of Bologna.

We are approximately 20 kms far from Bologna and 25 kms from Modena.-

The valley includes seven municipalities

ZOLA PREDOSA

Monteveglio was initially an Etruscan and Roman settlement, then a Byzantine fortress. Land of the noble Canossa family, its medieval castle was destroyed and rebuilt several times. Today the town is divided between the evocative hamlet of the Matildic Abbey on the top of the hill, and the modern district further downhill. The Regional Park of the Abbey offers visitors numerous opportunities for relaxing and sightseeing.

The little hilly town of Bazzano is geographically interesting as it is crossed by the Samoggia river and by an ancient Roman route, Via Claudia which was built at the same time as the famous Via Emilia. This has been a strategic connection between Rimini and Milan since Roman times. Highly recommended are the visits to the Acropolis with the medieval castle and the church of St. Steven, the Historic Council Archives and the "Crespellani" Civic Museum which, together with historic architectural heritage have earned Bazzano the title of "City of Art".

Crespellano is a town of prehistoric origins.In the Middle Ages its castle and territories were involved in the battles between Bologna and Modena with frequent, alternating occupations. Thanks to an ancient farming tradition, the land bears agricultural products of prime quality, such as Parmigiano Reggiano, honey, wines, fruit and vegetables.

It is renowned for its ancient medieval hamlet, land of the famous countess Matilde from Canossa. The castle, located in a strategic position, is a memorial to the harsh battles between Bologna and Modena. Among them it is important to highlight the famous "Battle of Zappolino" in 1325.

In the Middle Ages Savigno was a property of countess Matilde too. Perhaps the most famous historical event of Savigno was on the 15th August 1843, when some patriots from “Giovine Italia” started an uprising. It was the spark from which the patriotic uprising and riots spreaded in 1848. Here you can still find traditions marked by the activities of lumberjacks, horse breeders and truffle seekers. White truffle is actually the product that most highlight the town of Savigno, considered the regional capital of this tasty mushroom.

It is the municipality with the largest territory in the Samoggia Valley. Agriculture is still one of the main economic sources: Monte San Pietro is one of the main production areas of Bolognese Hills d.o.c. wines.Chestnuts cultivation is also of great importance: it is widespread in extensive groves in the hilly and montainous Lands.Until the beginning of last century chestnuts used to be the basic food for the residents.

A 12 km.from Bologna, set between the hills and the plains, is Zola Predosa (19,000 inhabitants), a modern industrial and agricultural town.Zola Predosa has always been a town of wineries, producing award-winning wines. The most appraised one is Pignoletto, a typical local white wine produced only in the Valley of River Samoggia.Zola Predosa is the “world capital” of Mortadella for the renowned factories producing this food and is a privileged point in the Route of Wines and Flavours named “Citta Castelli Ciliegi” (Route of Castles and Cherry Trees) www.cittacastelliciliegi.it

ZOLA PREDOSA

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Our Valley is experiencing a historic turning point for its future. The authorities and administrators of

5 town councils Monteveglio – Bazzano - Crespellano

Castello di Serravalle - Savigno asked the residents to vote for or against joining

together and form one major Town Council. The referendum was held on 25 November 2012.

The majority of the residents voted in favour of this change and soon the five towns will merge one

Town Council taking the name of VALSAMOGGIA.

VALSAMOGGIA UNITED

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The main objectives of this project are:

- Simplify and improve the services for the residents and enhance valuable resources

- Have access to financial grants and incentives:€ 9 million over 10 years from the Central Government€ 9 million over 15 years from the Region Emilia Romagna

- Achieve a greater political influence in the Province of Bologna

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This plan is innovative and ambitious, it is a pilot project in Italy and will be effective in 2014.

If the objectives of the project are achieved it will be an important point of reference for similar implementations in the rest of Italy.

The opposition who has lost the referendum thinks that the project will bring more disadvantages than advantages, and believes that has been primarily a political operation.

We will thus see in the coming years, the actual feasibility and the real benefits of the merger for both the territory and citizens of VALSAMOGGIA

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The Valley of River Samoggia is always worth a visit as every season offers wonderful features that will surprise and impress you!

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… Nature…

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…Sports …

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…Art …

The River Samoggia used to mark the boundary between the State of the Church and the territories that the Emperor had entrusted to the Duke of Modena.

For this reason the area is covered with castles erected in different times to protect the lands from the frequent invasions.

CASTLES, COURTS AND CHURCHES

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Built in 1235 the legendary Castle of Serravalle is now a national monument

The breathtaking acropolis of Bazzano known as “La Rocca” with its XII century castle, its ancient walls and clock tower and the church of St. Stephen

Since the XVII century this land has attracted investments from the noble families of the Senate of Bologna. As a result, Crespellano owes its main source of cultural and tourist interest to its countryside and its private mansions that the Bolognese nobility built as country residences.

THE COUNTRY MANSIONS

Cattenei Tower and Stagni MansionSituated uphill, in a gorgeous panoramic position (which was strategically chosen for its defensive function), the mansion was built in 1474 by Eliseo Cattanei.

Villa Banzi BeccadelliIt was probably built during the XVI century and was the property of a noble Bolognese family, the Banzi. It’s a remarkable building recently renovated and surrounded by a beautiful park.

Villa Turrini Rossi NicolajEnd of XVIII century

Villa Muratori Guerrini Meriggiani End of XVIII century

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… Food …

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Many local festivals have turned into popular meetings for visitors from all parts of Italy.

Mountain traditions are revived in culinary

specialties

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Every town has its weekly market where you can find traditional products

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Here you can enjoy

Tigelle…

Borlenghi…

Salumi…

Crescentine…

Truffle

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Not to mention the products that made our land famous throughout the world..

Tortellini…

Lasagne…

Tagliatelle…

Balsamic Vinegar of

Modena

Parmigiano-Reggiano…

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Typical local wines are produced on the hills surrounding Bologna (known as D.O.C Bolognese hill wines: “denominazione di origine controllata”, designation of origin).

They perfectly complement our typical dishes.

Local wineries sell directly to customers, welcoming public visits and organizing wine tasting workshops to introduce visitors in the

fascinating world of wine.

Five typical Bolognes Vines

• Barbera

• Cabernet Sauvignon

• Merlot

• Negretto

• Pignoletto (the only autochthonous vine)

To conclude, the beautiful image from the book “I VIGNAIOLI dei colli bolognesi” (the winemakers of the Bolognese hills) written by Federico Aldrovandi, wine expert and producer who in the afternoon will talk about wine and correct consumption

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Created by: Il filo d’Arianna

Associazione Culturale Monteveglio (Italy)