Welcome aboard an exciting journey through the heart of the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Regional Park. This itinerary, to be covered on foot, will lead you to discover the rich artistic and archaeological, but also naturalistic treasures of Brisighella and its suggestive surroundings.
Brisighella is an ancient medieval village with Roman roots, characterized by the three hills that surround the village and which offer stupendous views and an enchanting natural setting on which the main monuments of Brisighella stand. Nearby you will be fascinated by the site of Monte Rontana, an archaeological area of great importance set among the rolling hills of Romagna in a unique natural landscape.
Prepare to be enchanted by the ancient testimonies of the past and immerse yourself in a real sensorial experience that will lead you to discover the hidden secrets of these lands full of history and charm.
The route begins from the charming village of Brisighella, easily accessible both by car and train.
By opting for the car, it is possible to park near the train station and from there explore the historic center of the town in a few minutes, characterized by historic buildings, pastel-coloured houses, ancient alleys and stairways engraved in the chalky rock.
The Giuseppe Ugonia Civic Museum is located in the nineteenth-century building of the former Magistrates' Court, located in Piazzetta Porta Gabalo, dedicated to the famous painter and lithographer from Faenza, who passed away in 1944 and was deeply linked to Brisighella.
The museum offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in the artistic universe of Ugonia through a rich collection of paintings, lithographs and engravings. The works on display offer an interesting perspective on daily life in Romagna over the centuries, allowing visitors to explore local culture and traditions.
Some of Ugonia's engravings, dedicated to this territory, are exhibited in the most prestigious museums in the world, from the British Museum in London to the Uffizi in Florence.
In addition to its permanent collection, the museum regularly hosts temporary exhibitions that delve into topics related to local and international art, further enriching the visitor experience.
On the second floor, it is possible to admire paintings coming mainly from local churches, offering a fascinating journey through the repertoire of local art.
Among the most significant pieces is a nativity scene dating back to the end of the 15th century, made of polychrome terracotta made in Faenza, from the nearby parish church of Zattaglia, and a large altarpiece by Guercino, depicting "St. Francis of Assisi and St. Louis of France".
After visiting the Ugonia Museum, you reach the suggestive Via degli Asini: a raised and covered road, pervaded by a delicate natural light that filters through the typical arched windows.
Along this route, after passing a staircase made up of 350 steps, you head towards the three distinctive hills that overlook the village, each of which hosts three of its most significant historical monuments.
The first monument is the Clock Tower of Brisighella from which it is possible to see a panoramic view of the town, of the chalks and gullies that surround the picturesque village.
Built in 1290 by Maghinardo Pagani da Susinana, one of the most famous Romagna leaders, it served until the height of the Renaissance as part of the local defense system. It was completely renovated in 1850 with the addition of a clock.
Climbing the steep steps that lead to the top of the tower, you are enveloped by a magical atmosphere, filled with the feeling of being the privileged witness of a thousand-year history.
Through the panoramic road that runs alongside the tower itself, you can reach the second hill of Brisighella, where the Rocca Manfrediana stands majestically, built in 1310.
This imposing fortress includes the "Venetian Tower" and the ancient "Torricino", constituting a superb example of medieval military art. Inside, there is the opportunity to explore the "Man and Chalk" Museum, which traces a historical journey on the link between man and the territory, with particular emphasis on the chalk that characterizes the area.
Here, finds from various locations in the Vena del Gesso Romagnola Park are exhibited, accompanied by an illustrative video on the extraction of Lapis Specularis. Furthermore, it is possible to visit an educational section dedicated to the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, focused on the Rocca building; here the "Talking Stones" narrate the history of the place through an interactive multimedia path, enriched by music and narrative voices that tell the history of the place, activated by presence sensors that detect the visitor's movement.
Starting from the Rocca and following the CAI 511 path, you arrive at the third hill of Brisighella, where the Sanctuary of Monticino built in the 18th century stands. It is currently closed, but is still worth a visit to admire its facade.
Near the Sanctuary is the Geological Museum of Monticino a fascinating outdoor exhibition located inside a former chalk quarry, in use until a few years ago.
This museum preserves a rich geological, paleontological and naturalistic heritage, exhibiting artefacts and selenite crystals, offering the possibility of understanding their history and formation processes through educational panels installed along the route.
From here it is easy to access the CAI 511 path and follow the signs for the Carnè Park and its refuge.
By taking the CAI 505 path, known as the Sentiero degli Abissi, it is possible to explore various gorges, caves, sinkholes and ravines in the area, marked by the characteristic red-white trail signs with the initials SA.
This takes you up to Monte Rontana, a hill 484 meters above sea level, covered in vegetation and dominated by the remains of the ancient Rontana Castle.
The medieval site is the subject of a long excavation and research project conducted by the University of Bologna, which has brought to light important discoveries, thus expanding knowledge of the structure of the complex.
Near the ruins of the castle stands a large cross, erected in commemoration of the Holy Year of 1901 and restored in 1961. The return will follow the same route as the outward journey.
