Riola
Hello Riola: the pearl of the Reno Valley
If you are looking for a quiet and nature-immersed destination, then you absolutely must visit Riola, a small town with a population of about 900 inhabitants in the metropolitan city of Bologna.
History
The foundation of this village dates back to 1860, when the state road 64 Porrettana and the Porrettana Railway were built. From that moment on, Riola developed as a mandatory stop for travelers passing through between Pistoia and Bologna.
Monuments
One of the most beautiful monuments to visit in Riola is the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, white on the inside and covered in sandstone plates on the outside. Although it is located in the municipality of Grizzana Morandi, it has always been considered "the church of Riola" by the inhabitants of the town.
Moreover, if you are passionate about playing cards, you cannot miss the Tarot Museum, housed in a completely renovated seventeenth-century farmhouse. Here you can admire a collection of works by Italian and international artists who have represented the tarot in different ways.
But the pearl of Riola is definitely the Rocchetta Mattei, a building with bizarre shapes built in 1859 and recently renovated. This building, a mix of medieval style and Islamic architecture, is a true spectacle for the eyes and definitely deserves a visit.
In addition, in 2022, a museum and archive dedicated to Cesare Mattei, the founder of Rocchetta, was inaugurated on the same road that leads to Rocchetta Mattei.
Notes
If you also want to visit the Riola Station, we inform you that it is located on the Porrettana railway line.
Conclusions
Riola is definitely a place to visit if you want to escape the stress of the city and immerse yourself in the beauty of nature among the hills of the Reno Valley. By coming here, you can visit the Tarot Museum, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Rocchetta Mattei, a unique building. So what are you waiting for? Come and visit Riola right away!
