Top 20 Natural Monuments around Casalfiumanese

July 2024: the ford is impassable due to a landslide on the road on the Borgo Tossignano side.

at certain times it is also possible to find it open to visit the church

Monte delle Formiche is a relief in the middle Bolognese Apennines above Pianoro, between the Idice valleys and the Zena valley. It has an altitude of 638 m. The name of the mountain seems to be linked to a natural phenomenon that occurs annually around September 8th, the feast day of the Madonna to whom a sanctuary is dedicated at the top of the mountain. Swarms of winged ants of the Mirmyca Scabrinodis variety migrate to this peak from central Europe to make their nuptial flight and die there. The event, which has been witnessed since ancient times, has over time taken on an almost miraculous value, a sort of homage from nature to the Madonna. From the sanctuary there is a beautiful panoramic view of the valleys below. By bike it is a beautiful climb with significant gradients.

The Mineral Water Park is the historic green lung of Imola. Mainly known for its recreational and sporting function, it also has an undoubted botanical and historical value. It is located a short distance from the city center and is nowadays entirely surrounded by the “Enzo e Dino Ferrari” racetrack. It originated from the discovery of Dr. Gioacchino Cerchiari, which occurred in 1830, of the healing sulphurous water springs which made the place immediately popular. The first arrangement of the area into a real park dates back to 1871, with the creation of avenues and flowerbeds according to the so-called "English" model. Currently the park extends over 11 hectares and has a rich heritage of tree species, both native and exotic. Recent interventions have aimed to enhance this heritage by providing the park with two play areas and an educational path of a geological nature, and by redeveloping some historical areas: the area of the ancient springs (indicated by the restoration of the original cisterns), the monumental staircase that leads from Viale Atleti Azzurri d'Italia leads to the Belvedere, and the entrances to the park. In particular we highlight the one to the north, called 'Piazzetta della Fontana' from the ceramic work of the artist Mannes Laffi, and the one to the south, or Piazzetta delle Querce', characterized by paving in stone slabs and cubes which reflect the park logo : an oak leaf. (Source: https://visitareimola.it/vivere/tempo-libero/natura/parco-acque-minerali/ )

I would like to point out that at the moment the cycle path is only passable from Imola to Borgo Tossignano due to the flood. Even the ford is unusable.

Puuh, very exhausting to lift your bike over these steps!

The Fonte Fegatella is one of the symbols most loved by the castellans. As the name itself suggests, the source, thanks to its salt-chromium-ionic water (high in bromine and iodine) has healing powers linked to liver health. These powers were discovered way back in 1337, when it is said of a herd of sheep seriously ill with liver disease who, by drinking the water of the Fegatella, returned to health. These properties of the Fegatella water were also studied and listed thanks to tests carried out by university professors present in the city during the seven months of the transfer of the Bolognese university headquarters to Castel San Pietro following the papal interdict on Bologna. ... The main temple monument dates back to the early 1950s, erected by the then independent healthcare company. Subject to interventions and renovations several times, in recent times the source has acquired a second tap towards the Lungo Sillaro park, on the other side of the road. (Source: https://prolococastelsanpietroterme.it/it/monumento/fonte-fegatella-fegatella-source/ )

I passed last Sunday 13/10/22 and I found that the whole path on the ridge between the arrival of the Roman road and the settefonti has been restored. I had passed in September and it was very dry and full of cracks, now they have smoothed it out (while remaining 100% dirt)