Monghidoro

Monghidoro: a picturesque town in Emilia-Romagna

Monghidoro, also known as Scaricalasino, is an idyllic Italian town with a population of 3,746 inhabitants. Located in the metropolitan city of Bologna, in the Emilia-Romagna region, Monghidoro is the ideal place to immerse oneself in the intriguing atmosphere of the region. The town has five hamlets and scattered houses, but only 1,705 inhabitants reside in the main nucleus of the town. However, despite its small size, Monghidoro is an interesting place from a historical and cultural point of view. Let's discover together the peculiarities of this picturesque town.

Physical geography

The altitude of the capital of Monghidoro is 669 meters. The municipal territory extends between the mountains of Emilia-Romagna and ranges from an altitude of 215 meters to the north up to 1,313 meters on the summit of Alpe in the southern part. The capital of Monghidoro is the highest town in the Province of Bologna.

Monghidoro: the picturesque Emiliano-Romagnolo town

History

The geographical position of Monghidoro has made this town a mandatory crossing point over the centuries. This region has been influenced by different cultures, including the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, and Lombards who perpetrated various raids in the area. Towards the 8th century, a Gothic settlement became durable, and the territory began to be called "Mons Gothorum" (Mount of the Goths), which probably gave rise to the name Monghidoro.

At the beginning of the 13th century, an important market was established in the locality of La Fratta, south of the town of Loiano, creating some alternative traffic currents to the oldest road that connected Bologna and Florence. The road started from the area of the current Santo Stefano gate and approached the left bank of the Savena river up to Pianoro, then climbed towards Brento, Monzuno, Cedrecchia, the Bastione mountain, and the Futa pass.

Of this communication route, no trace remains now. The road was still present immediately after the end of the Second World War, but now it has disappeared. Despite this, a road called "Via Nuova" that starts from Piamaggio and arrives at the cemetery is still visible.

Legends of the territory

The territory of Monghidoro is full of legends and curiosities. One of these concerns the ruins of the ancient building called "Osteria del Fantorno". It is said that this place was destroyed by the papal guards after a customer found a human finger in their plate. On the Tuscan slope, one can find the ruins of a similar building called "Osteria Bruciata".

Conclusions

Monghidoro is a charming Italian town located in the metropolitan city of Bologna. With its geographical position and fascinating history, Monghidoro represents a perfect place to escape from daily stress and immerse oneself in the suggestive atmosphere of Emilia-Romagna. If you are looking for a picturesque place to spend your vacation, Monghidoro will surely conquer you with its natural beauty and fascinating traditions.

Marco Damico
Wrote by Marco Damico
Updated Friday, Feb 10, 2023