Viano

The territory of Viano, called Querciolese because of the significant presence of the oak tree in the area, is a basin with a characteristic hammer shape.

The capital is made up of a set of villages, such as Cadonega, Corte, and Minghetta, marked by the presence of tower houses - a singular aspect of the entire valley basin - probably of late medieval origin.

In the vicinity of the Town Hall stands the Castle of Viano dating back to the fourteenth century, site of the oldest settlement in this town.

Vianese cuisine offers a wide variety of long-established catering facilities, with typical dishes: a simple flake of Parmigiano Reggiano with a good glass of Lambrusco and a few drops of balsamic vinegar, Erbazzone, ciccioli, cappelletti, the tortelli with pumpkin or herbs, the black cake and tagliatelle, the casagai, and the ciambellone (“busilan”) represent the local culinary specialties.

The black truffle that characterizes this area is also the protagonist of recipes and events.

The Truffle Fair has been held in Viano every year at the end of November for over 30 editions. In fact Viano is an Italian "Truffle Town" - "Città del tartufo". The fair consists of two days dedicated to exhibitions, taste workshops, shows, street food with truffles and traditional food.

Viano is part of the so-called Terre Matildiche (Matildica Lands), which take their name from the Countess Mathilda of Canossa who ruled this area in the medieval centuries. Visitors can rediscover the villages and castles, the castle of Querciola, for example, built at the end of the eighth century by the Bishop of Reggio Emilia as a refuge from the many barbarian raids.

A geological peculiarity of the area is the "Salse of Regnano": an area covered by a thick muddy blanket on which there are clayey cones similar to small volcanoes, originating from gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons (methane and petroleum) that escaping from the depths intercept some aquifers coming to the surface.