Molinella
Molinella: the city on the borders of the province of Bologna
Hello everyone!
Today I want to talk to you about Molinella, a small town with 15,598 inhabitants located in the northeastern corner of the metropolitan city of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna. Molinella has been granted the title of City since 24 June 2003 and is the municipality with the lowest altitude in the whole metropolitan city of Bologna.
Physical geography
The territory of Molinella extends in the low Bolognese plain, bordering the province of Ferrara, over an area of 127.87 km² with an average altitude of 8 meters above sea level. Molinella is crossed by the Reno River, the Idice stream, and the Canale della Botte and Lorgana canals.
The neighboring municipalities are Argenta to the north and east, Medicina to the south, Budrio to the southwest, and Baricella to the northwest. The major urban centers, Bologna and Ferrara, are respectively 36 and 28 km away.
Territory
The territory of Molinella, originally a marshy and unhealthy area in the middle of the Padusa Valley, was characterized by swamps, reed beds, and forests of willows, poplars, and oaks on marshy islands. Today, the territory is almost completely reclaimed, and most of the land is extremely fertile and cultivated with corn, orchards, and wheat.
Some areas, such as the "Vallazza" and the "Boscosa," are natural reserves and part of the biotopes and environmental restorations of Medicina and Molinella, as well as other special protected areas for the conservation of local fauna and flora.
Climate
The climate of Molinella is temperate continental. Winters are cold and humid, with possible snowfall, while spring is cool and rainy. Autumn is very foggy, while summer is hot and sultry, with occasional thunderstorms and downpours.
Origin of the name
The name Molinella derives from the presence of water mills, once widespread and now mostly disappeared. According to popular legend, the toponym would instead have originated from a mill owned by a woman named Nella, with the consequent contraction and merging of the two names. However, this is only a legend, as confirmed by the monographic study by Calori.
In conclusion, Molinella is a small town worth discovering. Thanks to its position on the borders of the province of Bologna, it offers the opportunity to visit other interesting places nearby. If you have the opportunity to visit the area, do not miss the chance to explore this fascinating and varied territory.
