This itinerary is a journey into memory, to discover the symbolic places of the Terre di Faenza marked by the First and Second World Wars. Among gravestones, commemorative stones and monuments, the route invites you to reflect on a past that must not be forgotten.
Each stop is a piece of history: from the tragedy of the Shoah to the partisan resistance, from the bombings to the sacrifices of local communities. The common thread of this itinerary is civil responsibility, the value of peace and the importance of collective memory. Knowing history means building a conscious future: this journey through the places of memory of the Terre di Faenza is an opportunity to do so.
The itinerary can be done in a day, but for those who want to delve deeper into the visit and grasp every historical detail, we recommend planning at least one night out.
Our journey into memory begins in Castel Bolognese, a village of ancient origins founded in 1389, today known for its agricultural and industrial heritage. Easily reachable by car from the A14 motorway, with exits at Imola or Faenza, the town is located along the historic Via Emilia, one of the main communication arteries of northern Italy.
After parking for free in Viale Roma, continue on foot to Via Papa Giovanni XXIII, where one of the most significant places of historical memory of the Second World War stands: the National Monument to the Fallen for the Clearance of Minefields.
Designed by the architect Erminio Ferrucci and inaugurated in 1984, the monument is an imposing reinforced concrete structure, dominated by the Tree of Peace, a bronze work created by the sculptor Angelo Biancini from Castel Bolognese. This sculpture symbolizes peace and reconciliation, paying homage to the deminers, true silent heroes who, after the war, worked to make the lands devastated by conflict safe again.
The choice of Castel Bolognese as the site of this monument is not accidental: the town was located between the Santerno and Senio rivers, right in the center of the Gothic Line, and suffered direct attacks during the war for months, with one of the highest concentrations of mined areas in Italy. This place therefore becomes a fundamental stop to understand the price of freedom and the role of historical memory in building peace.
Leaving Castel Bolognese, the journey into memory continues along the SP10 towards Solarolo, a small town that experienced the devastation of the Second World War on the front lines. Here, the war left indelible marks, still visible today in the places of memory.
Once in town, you can park in Piazza dei Caduti, the commemorative heart of Solarolo, dedicated to the victims of all wars. Here is the Monument to the Fallen created in 2022 by the artist Giuseppe Casalini from Faenza. The work, located on the tower of the aqueduct now in disuse, is composed of three marble tombstones that surround a bronze slab worked in bas-relief, depicting a dying soldier, symbol of the sacrifice and brutality of war.
Continuing on foot along Via Antonio Bassani, you reach another place symbolic of the historical memory of Solarolo: the ruins of the Torre Manfrediana. Here, on April 11, 1945, the Germans blew up the tower, killing 30 civilians who had taken refuge there. Today, a marble plaque commemorates this massacre, bearing witness to one of the most dramatic pages of the war in Romagna.
This stop represents a moment of reflection on what happened and on how the value of memory can transform pain into historical awareness.
The journey of memory continues in Faenza, a city rich in history and culture, deeply marked by the events of the Second World War and the Shoah. Reachable via Via Lugo/SP29 from Solarolo, it is advisable to park in Piazzale Pancrazi and use the free shuttle to the center.
The first stop is the Museum of the Second World War and Shoah, a place that tells the story of the global conflict with particular attention to the reality of Romagna and the events that affected the Jewish community in Italy. The exhibition route, enriched by interactive panels, images and testimonies, allows visitors to immerse themselves in an exciting journey between memory and history. Open on weekends from May to October, it also has extraordinary openings.
The itinerary continues along the Tempietto della Memoria, located on the banks of the Lamone River, which takes its name from Amalia Fleischer, a Viennese citizen living in Faenza, arrested and deported to Auschwitz in 1944. Today, the building has been transformed into a commemorative artistic work, dedicated to all the victims of the Nazi extermination camps.
Near the Tempietto is the Ponte della Memoria, built thanks to the intervention of the Jewish Brigade, which contributed to the liberation of the city.
This symbolic place represents the link between past and present, remembering the commitment of those who fought for freedom.
Another point of great significance is the Monastery of the Poor Clares of Santa Chiara, in Via della Croce, 16, where Amalia Fleischer lived until the day of her deportation.
Today, in front of the building, a stumbling stone with her name has been placed, so that her memory will never be erased.
During the Nazi-Fascist persecution, many citizens of Faenza risked their lives to protect Jewish families on the run. Below are some symbolic places in the city, visible but not visitable:
This stop represents a moment of strong emotional impact, a journey through the memories of persecution and resistance, to keep alive the memory of those who fought for freedom and justice.
After leaving Faenza, the itinerary continues along the Provincial Road 302 R Brisighellese-Ravennate, until reaching the charming Medieval Village of Brisighella.
Here, you can park in Viale della Stazione Ferroviaria, near the Ugonia Park, one of the first places of memory of the village.
In 1927, in the heart of the park, a significant bronze monument was placed, created by the Faenza sculptor Domenico Rambelli: the Sleeping Infantryman. This sculpture, with its dramatic realism, remembers the young fallen of the First World War, a silent but powerful tribute to the sacrifice of an entire generation.
After the stop in Brisighella, the route continues, delving into the history of the Partisan Resistance. Following the State Road 302 towards Marradi, turn onto Via Corneto near San Cassiano, until reaching Cà di Malanca, one of the most touching testimonies of the fight for Liberation.
Today the House Museum of the Resistance, Cà di Malanca tells the story of the harsh events of 1944, when the Alta Valle del Sintria was the scene of decisive clashes between the 36th Garibaldi Brigade “A. Bianconcini” and the Nazi-Fascist forces, culminating in the Battle of Purocielo. It can be visited on holidays from April 25th to the last Sunday in October.
Inside the museum, visitors can observe a detailed model of the combat zone, along with photographs, relics and documents from the Second World War, which restore the human dimension of the partisan resistance. The structure also houses a historical library, with a vast collection of books dedicated to the Resistance and local history
This stop on the itinerary offers a unique opportunity to reflect on the events of the war and the courage of those who fought for freedom.
Leaving Cà di Malanca, the journey into memory continues towards Casola Valsenio. Travelling along Via del Corso and turning off along the SP70, you reach a strategic point in the history of the Second World War: Monte Battaglia.
After leaving your car in the car park near the path, a short ten-minute walk leads to the evocative Rocca di Monte Battaglia, a place that still bears the signs of the fierce battles of 1944.
This mountain was one of the cornerstones of the Gothic Line, the scene of clashes between armies of all nationalities, where the Allied troops and Italian partisans fought strenuously against the Nazi-Fascist forces for control of the territory. Its strategic position made it a key point in the Italian campaign.
As a testimony to those dramatic events, a monument dedicated to Liberation and Peace between peoples was placed at the foot of the tower. The work, created by the sculptor Aldo Rontini and inaugurated in 1988, represents the famous scene of David defeating Goliath, a symbol of the fight for freedom against oppression.
Today, Monte Battaglia has been a National Monument since 1931 and continues to be a place of memory and reflection, a destination for visits and celebrations in memory of the Resistance. From here, the panorama opens onto the valley, offering a final symbolic vision of a territory that has experienced sacrifice and redemption.
The last stop on the itinerary takes us to Riolo Terme, a village that still bears the signs of the Second World War.
After taking the SP306 from Casola Valsenio, you can park along the main street and continue on foot to the suggestive Parco delle 127 Giornate di Riolo. This commemorative site stands under the ancient medieval walls of the village and hosts a series of bronze works by the sculptor Giovanni Bertozzi, inspired by Leonida Costa's book Le 127 giornate di Riolo.
The artistic installations tell the dramatic events experienced by the local population during the siege of the Second World War, when Riolo was the scene of fierce clashes between the Nazi-Fascist forces and the Allies.
Not far away, in front of the Town Hall and in Corso Matteotti, there are six stumbling stones that commemorate six Italian citizens of Jewish origin who were deported from Riolo during the Nazi-fascist occupation and died in the extermination camps of Auschwitz.
