Bentivoglio
Bentivoglio: a small municipality in the Bologna plains
Hello everyone! Today, I'll be talking about Bentivoglio, a municipality of 5795 inhabitants located in the Bologna plains. The name derives from the noble Bentivoglio family, which had an important influence on the history of the area. Let's discover together some curiosities about this place!
Origin of the name
Have you ever wondered where the name of this municipality comes from? Originally, the territory of Bentivoglio was called after one of its fractions, Santa Maria in Duno. Only since 1886, the current name designates the entire municipality, in honor of the Bentivoglio family that ruled the area for some centuries.
History
First settlements
The territory of Bentivoglio has been inhabited since the Villanovan era, as attested by the found cremation tombs. With the arrival of the Romans, the territory was reclaimed and numerous rural settlements were developed. In the Middle Ages, the central area of the territory was called "Ponte Poledrano".
Importance of the Navile canal
The Navile canal has a fundamental role in the history of Bentivoglio. Already from the 12th century, it conveyed the water of the Reno river to Malalbergo, acting as a means of communication for the transport of goods. Along its route, numerous fortified buildings were erected, among them the Ponte Poledrano Fortress and the Mill, which remained active until 1977.
Reclamation
The Pizzardi family, which acquired the Ponte Poledrano castle in 1817, undertook reclamation works of the territory, leading to the creation of a more hygienic environment and the establishment of an important rice production center. The historic mill, on the other hand, was reopened in 2014.
Monuments and places of interest
There are many monuments and places of interest in Bentivoglio, such as the Church of San Marino in the fraction of San Marino, the Church and Canonica of San Martino in Castagnolino, the Parish Complex of Santa Maria and San Folco in the fraction of Saletto, and the Church with Oratory of Sant'Andrea in Santa Maria in Duno. Among the military architectures, one can admire the Castle, built by the Bentivoglio family in the 15th century.
In total, there are 20 architectural assets protected by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage and Tourism, in addition to those without protections.
I hope I gave you a better understanding of this small municipality in the Bologna plains! If you have the opportunity, go visit and discover its historical and natural beauties.
