Valsamoggia
Valsamoggia is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy, formed in 2014 from the union of five former municipalities in the Samoggia valley.
At a glance
- Type
- Comune (sparse municipality)
- Period
- Established 1 January 2014
- Style
- Apennine-foothill valley with medieval cores
- Location
- Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Overview
Valsamoggia is a comune in the Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It was created on 1 January 2014 after the merger of the former communes of Bazzano, Castello di Serravalle, Crespellano, Monteveglio and Savigno. The municipality takes its name from the Samoggia river valley that it occupies.
History
The communities that make up Valsamoggia each carry their own long history in the hills and plain west of Bologna. Bazzano and Monteveglio preserve medieval castles and fortified centres that guarded the valley, while Savigno and Castello di Serravalle developed as Apennine-foothill settlements. The five towns united into a single comune in 2014 under Italian municipal reform.
What you see
The territory spans the Samoggia valley from the plain into the Apennine foothills, with vineyards, woodland and farmland. Among its landmarks are the Rocca dei Bentivoglio at Bazzano and the abbey complex of Monteveglio within a regional park. The dispersed centres each retain a historic core.
Cultural significance
Valsamoggia illustrates the modern consolidation of small Italian municipalities while preserving the distinct medieval heritage of its component towns. The area around Savigno is also known for its white truffles and rural gastronomy.
Practical information
Comune di Valsamoggia, Metropolitan City of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. For opening hours of the Rocca dei Bentivoglio and the Monteveglio abbey, check the official website.
Getting there
Valsamoggia lies southwest of Bologna and is reached by road via the Via Bazzanese; regional bus services connect Bazzano and the valley towns to Bologna, roughly 25 km away.