IF BIKE FAMILY
FAENZA AND ITS HILLS
From the Renaissance Oriolo Tower to the centre of Faenza, city of ceramics, and back again via Sarna: an excursion combining the charm of art and history with picturesque, hilly landscape adorned with vineyards and orchards.
Starting point: Oriolo Tower
Distance: 34 km
Difference in altitude: 400 m
Time: approx. 3 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Things to see
La Oriolo Tower (1), with its unusual pentagonal design, stands in a stunning, panoramic location.
A Faenza, il Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche (2) presenta la storia della ceramica dall’Età Precolombiana ai giorni nostri e conserva pezzi, tra gli altri, di Fontana, Picasso, Chagall. Nel centro di Faenza: l’elegante piazza del Popolo (3), il Museo dell’Età Neoclassica in Romagna Palazzo Milzetti (4), le botteghe degli artigiani ceramisti (5).
The International Ceramics Museum (2) in Faenza recounts the history of ceramics from the pre-Columbian era to modern times and houses pieces by Fontana, Picasso and Chagall, among others. In Faenza centre: the elegant Piazza del Popolo (3), the Museum of the Neoclassical Age in Romagna, in Palazzo Milzetti (4), and the ceramic craftsmen's workshops (5).
Bookable experiences
The Agriturismo La Sabbiona farm guesthouse and wine cellar (6) offers a farm tour and wine and produce tasting, a course on making authentic piadina romagnola, and some light refreshments while relaxing at the pool. The International Ceramics Museum (2) is a gem not to be missed, and can be visited independently or with a guide.
THE MEDIEVAL VILLAGE OF BRISIGHELLA, AMONG THE CHALKHILLS AND GULLIES
Brisighella, officially one of the Borghi più belli d’Italia (Italy’s most beautiful villages), famous for its fine DOP extra virgin olive oil, has a picturesque medieval centre which is full of surprises. This route touches on the most interesting monuments before heading up towards Marzeno to the hills overlooking the Thermal Baths, to enjoy the view of the village and its three hills before returning.
Starting point: railway station car park
Distance: 19 km
Difference in altitude: 260 m
Time: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: easy
Things to see
The Romanesque Parish Church of Tho (1) is the Lamone Valley’s most ancient parish church, probably built between the 8th and 10th centuries.
Il centro storico di Brisighella con le viuzze e la caratteristica Via degli Asini (2) del XII secolo, la Rocca Veneziana (3) e la Torre dell’Orologio (4). Nella Collegiata di San Michele (5), una “Adorazione dei Magi” di Marco Palmezzano. Interessante anche il Museo Ugonia (7), con pitture e litografie dell’artista brisighellese.
Highlights of the historic centre of Brisighella are its narrow streets and picturesque 12th-century Via degli Asini (2), Venetian fortress (3) and clock tower (4). The Collegiate Church of San Michele (5) houses an Adoration of the Magi by Marco Palmezzano. Also of interest is the Giuseppe Ugonia Museum (7) of paintings and lithographs by this artist from Brisighella.
Bookable experiences
Brisighella olive oil (6) was among the first five in Italy to obtain the prestigious DOP status. It is possible to book a guided tasting of three olive oils or a tasting enriched with the traditional products of the local area.
RIOLO TERME AND THE SENIO VALLEY
From Riolo Terme to the hamlet of Isola and on to the hills surrounding the town towards the Serra, one of the famous wine-producing areas in these hills. The return touches on Villa Vezzano and Riolo’s Thermal Baths.
Starting point: River Park car park
Distance: 25 km
Difference in altitude: 430 m
Time: approx. 3 hours
Difficulty: easy
Things to see
The fortress of Riolo Terme (1), which belonged to Caterina Sforza, Countess of Forlì and Lady of Imola, and the Museum of the Faenza Apennine Landscape..
The town walls (2) with a striking view over the Senio Valley. The Thermal Baths (3), dating back to 1870, housed in elegant Liberty-style pavilions immersed in a century-old park.
Bookable experiences
The Tenuta Masselina estate (4) is a landmark producer of organic wines, metodo classico sparkling wine, and wines in amphorae.
You can take a guided walk through the vineyards, finishing with a wine tasting and, if you so wish, some light refreshments. The fortress of Riolo (1) is open to the public to visit either independently or accompanied by the historic noblewoman Caterina Sforza ... in person! The ‘murder mystery dinners’ and ‘escape rooms’ in the fortress are also fascinating experiences. Don’t miss the relaxing treatments at the thermal pool (3), with the option of lunch or dinner at the Grand Hotel restaurant or wonderful picnics in the century-old park; the perfect and truly natural finish to the day.
CASOLA VALSENIO: BICYCLE STORIES
Starting from the Cardello Museum House, you reach the park on the River Senio, then climb the hill to the west of the town before returning to Casola Valsenio and on to the Cardello Museum. Points of interest: bridge over the River Senio at 3.1 km and brief but intense climb (approximately 300 metres) at 9.9 km.
Starting point: Cardello Museum House car park
Distance: 12.5 km
Difference in altitude: 450 m
Time: approx. 2 hours 30 minutes
Difficulty: medium
Things to see
The Cardello Museum House (1), where the Faenza-born writer Alfredo Oriani spent much of his life, is a rare and beautiful example of a perfectly preserved 19th/20th-century manor house immersed in a picturesque park.
Alfredo Oriani is considered the father of bicycle touring; indeed, in 1897, he undertook a long journey through Romagna and Tuscany, narrated in one of his best-loved books, La bicicletta (The Bicycle). His inseparable bicycle is in the Museum. The Botanical Herb Garden (2) is a botanical garden specialising in medicinal plants, with close to 500 varieties. Valsenio Abbey (3), north of the town, dates back to the 11th century.
Bookable experiences
The Botanical Herb Garden (2) offers guided tours, revealing the secrets of plants, and workshops on distillation and preparation of herbal teas. Try the original menus featuring aromatic herbs, flowers and forgotten fruits in the restaurants of Casola Valsenio.