Anzola dell’emilia – S. Giovanni in Persiceto – Tivoli – Sant’Agata bolognese – Pieve di cento – Castello d’argile – Sala bolognese – Calderara di reno
We start from Bologna along Via Emilia Ponente, outside Porta S. Felice and we go towards the so called “Bassa” the Bolognese plain. We cross the river Reno, go past Borgo Panigale and we stop: ANZOLA. We admire the old medieval parish church, the Chiesa di San Pietro e Paolo and the Torre del 1200, that is what remains of the ancient castle where Re Enzo stayed. We start from the road towards Sacerno, we see several rural buildings, country houses scattered everywhere and towards Tavernelle dell’Emilia, we go on the main road up to S.GIOVANNI IN PERSICETO. A town rich of history and art from the churches, some of which keep important works of art. In the Colleggiata di San Giovanni Battista it is possible to admire a painting by Guercino and another one by Albani, in addition to the bas-reliefs by Piò; while in the Chiesa del Crocifisso there are works by the Bolognese school of the XVIII century. Don’t forget also the Palaces the Town hall and the Palazzaccio. A lovely surprise is the Carnival of long tradition, with the famous mask of Bertoldo, invented by Giulio Cesare Croce, who was born here. We get now to SANT’AGATA BOLOGNESE, where in the Parrocchiale, in an old parish church there is Sant’Agata by Guido Reni. To remember also the Oratory of the Holy Spirit that keeps frescos probably by Nicolò dell’Abate.
We move, now, to the main road Bevilacqua and turn towards Pieve di cento, a small medieval village contended for centuries by Bologna and Ferrara and at the end divided between the two provinces. There is a suggestive portico, 18th century palaces, churches and in particular the “Chiesa Colleggiata di Santa Maria Maggiore”, the “PIEVE” (the Parish church), rebuilt during the first half of the 18th century, which keeps Guercino and Guido Reni’s works. We can see also the “Rocca” (fortress), built at the end of the 14th century by Antonio di Vincenzo. It is interesting to visit the “Documentation Centre of hemp manufacture” which keeps the ancient tools of the old activity in the area. We come back towards Bologna and along the “Centese” main road we find CASTELLO D’ARGILE, a small industrial and agricultural centre and we take the “Padullese” road; we stop at SALA BOLOGNESE, where there is a wonderful church which dates back to the 11th century, built on the ruins of early Christian building and restored at the beginning of the century. We go on the Provincial road until CALDERARA DI RENO, and we visit Villa Masetti which keeps some interesting paintings of the Bolognese school and then we go back to Bologna.
