The Bologna hills (colli bolognesi) are a few km far from the city, in the middle of Emilia Romagna, and you can reach them on foot, by car, or by public transport. It's a green area that hides small medieval towns, ancient palaces, and magnificent trees.

Through the Bologna hills, during the years, many pilgrims and traders passed. Among those hills, there is also Via degli Dei, which links Bologna and Firenze, where you can find excellent products such as wine and truffle.

In this article, you will find a guide on what to see on the Bologna hills, on the road that goes through the Tuscan Emilian Apennine.

Santuario di San Luca

On Colle della Guardia, you will find Santuario di San Luca (San Luca Sanctuary), one of the Bolognese people's favorite places. It was built in honor of the Virgin Mary, whose procession still happens nowadays in May. You can reach it via the longest portico in the world, a suggestive place from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the surrounding hills.

Terrazza di San Michele in Bosco

One of the most fascinating panoramic points is on the terrace of San Michele in Bosco. There is a viewpoint from which you can see Bologna from above.

Rocca di Roffeno

One of the estates of Matilde di Canossa, Rocca di Roffeno is a very fascinating medieval town. There are the typical little alleys where you can breathe history, as well as many fortified towers, a type of architecture popular in this area.

Borgo di San Pietro

Outside of the Regional Park of Gessi Bolognesi, you will find the town of San Pietro, which is characterized by a very small dimension. In fact, it was funded with a strategic aim, as it had a defensive function. It used to have a castle, but nowadays there is only the tower, which has been renewed as a bell tower.

Park of Villa Ghigi

The Park of Villa Ghigi can be easily reached from the center of Bologna, and it's a big green area where you can relax far from the city.
Inside the park, there is also a wonderful villa, which is not visitable but you can admire it from outside.

Parco Cavaioni

Parco Cavaioni is a few kilometers far from Bologna, and it's one of the biggest parks on the Bologna hills. It was originally a farmhouse estate, as you can still notice from the field and the path in nature.

Rocchetta Mattei

Rocchetta Mattei is a fortress in Riola-Savignano, on the Northern Appennine. It's an eclectic building that absorbed many influences during the centuries, as it goes from medieval style to the Moorish one. It is located 407 meters above sea level and it was commissioned by Earl Cesare Mattei where he went to live.

Parco Talon and Chiusa of Casalecchio

Parco Talon is not that far from Bologna, and it's one of the green areas of the city. Moreover, here you'll find Chiusa of Casalecchio, a hydraulic work dating back to the Middle Ages. It was built with the aim of bringing water to the city of Bologna. Since it's the oldest one in Europe, it was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List.

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October 1st, 2021