Casola Valsenio
In the heart of the Ravenna Apennines on the border with Tuscany, it is reached by ascending the Senio valley among rolling hills, the rugged cliffs of the Parco regionale della Vena del Gesso Romagnola, woods and chestnut groves. Many evocative itineraries, to be traveled on foot or by bicycle, among heights dominated by ancient towers and parish churches. Here nature is the most precious jewel, adorned with the colors, scents and flavors of the herbs and forgotten fruits of autumn, to which Casola Valsenio dedicates original festivals and fairs.
Casola is a lively village with many events dedicated to its history, traditions, discovering the area on foot or by bike, and its products. The Regional Park of the Chalk Vein of Romagna, which runs through its territory, has some of the most incredible emergencies here, such as the spectacular Riva di San Biagio and the network of caves and chasms thanks to which it was renamed “Speleopolis.”
The “Augusto Rinaldi Ceroni” Herb Garden is a rich botanical garden with nearly five hundred varieties of medicinal plants grown in rotation on the scenic steps.
The Cardello is the house, now a museum, where writer Alfredo Oriani (1852-1907) lived. Built in the 15th century as guest quarters for the Abbey of Valsenio, it is a rare example of a 19th-century Romagnola mansion, fully furnished and surrounded by a park declared of “national interest.”
The Rock of Monte Battaglia bears witness to the troubled history of these places and is a vantage point from which to enjoy spectacular views.
The excellences of Casola Valsenio
The Chestnut of Casola Valsenio
Not to be confused with chestnuts, which are smaller and darker, Casola Valsenio chestnuts surprise with their sweet taste. The fruit is dark havana in color with an elliptical shape and obvious striations and is harvested in early October. Chestnuts can be dried and ground into flour, eaten simply boiled or roasted in the classic perforated pan. They also star in traditional mountain dishes such as sweet ravioli, chestnut cake, tortellacci, and soup.
Augusto Rinaldi Ceroni’s Herb Garden
Thanks to the presence of Augusto Rinaldi Ceroni’s Herb Garden and the many initiatives that have sprung up over the years around the cultivation of herbs, a culture of these plants has been consolidated in Casola Valsenio, leading to Casola’s definition as the “Land of Herbs and Forgotten Fruits.” A visit to the Herb Garden is a must, perhaps on “Lavender Day” or “Herbs in Bloom.”
There are also numerous original dishes that many of Casola’s restaurants offer: dishes with medicinal herbs, flower petals, forgotten fruits (and even an ice cream shop, which offers ice cream flavors with herbs and forgotten fruits). A dive into the flavors and colors of these plants with multiple uses, creatively studied and combined but never forgetting tradition.
