Sasso Marconi
Welcome to Sasso Marconi: history and geography of the Bolognese municipality
Welcome to Sasso Marconi, a municipality in the metropolitan city of Bologna in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, with a population of approximately 14,727. This picturesque town is located on the first hilly area of the Bolognese Apennines, surrounded by the lower valley of the Reno River, part of the Lavino River basin, and the lower portion of the Setta valley to the southeast.
Physical geography
Territory
Sasso Marconi is easily connected to Bologna, located about 17 km to the south, by the local railway network dating back to 1864. The city is also served by buses and highways, the A1 motorway with two exits, Sasso Marconi Nord and Sasso Marconi Sud, are well-equipped for travelers. Other major communication routes are the Strada statale 64 Porrettana and Strada statale 325 di Val di Setta e Val di Bisenzio.
The main centers of the city are located along the Strada Statale 64 Porrettana, an important local communication artery between the Po Valley and Tuscany, and close to the eponymous railway line. Sasso Marconi was part of the Cinque Valli Bolognesi Mountain Community and has been part of the Union of Reno, Lavino, and Samoggia Valley municipalities since June 16, 2014.
Climate
The municipality enjoys an extremely pleasant climate, with a climatic classification of zone E, 2339 GR/G.
History
The city's name derives from the "Sasso della Glosina," a rock of the Pliocene spur that dominates the confluence of the Setta and Reno rivers, and the renowned scientist Guglielmo Marconi. Previously, the area was referred to as "Praduro" and "Sasso." In 1935, the name was then changed to Sasso Bolognese and subsequently, in 1938, to Sasso Marconi as a tribute to the enormous contribution given by Guglielmo Marconi to science.
Sasso Marconi has a millennia-long history, dating back even to the Etruscan era, as evidenced by the various tombs whose contents are on display at the nearby Etruscan National Museum of Marzabotto. From the Roman domination, one can still admire the imposing work of the aqueduct that conveyed water to Bologna.
During World War II, the Red Star Lupo brigade killed two German non-commissioned officers, which led to retaliation by the German SS. On September 8, 1944, some of the SS rounded up and killed numerous civilians as retribution for what had happened, an event known as the "Eccidio di Rio Conco di Vizzano" after the place of the shootings.
Sasso Marconi is also known for being mentioned in the song "Bomba o non bomba" by Antonello Venditti, contained in his album "Sotto il segno dei pesci" released in 1978.
Symbols
The emblem of the city was created in 1851, when the Pontifical Extraordinary Commissioner asked the Bolognese municipalities for a design of their emblems.
We are pleased to have accompanied you in discovering the history and geography of the municipality of Sasso Marconi and invite you to visit this fascinating city to discover more about its beauty.
