Camugnano Bologna
Guide to CAMUGNANO
Camugnano is a town of 1,849 inhabitants in the province of Bologna.
Its origins are very ancient, dating back even to the Bronze Age, as evidenced by the discovery of 14 axes and some votive statuettes found nearby, but there are also indications of Etruscan presence and, above all, Roman presence, which probably initiated the first settled settlements; the origins of its name also derive from the Roman: “camonius” was indeed the name of a Roman family.
In the Middle Ages, the territory of Camugnano was located at the border between the possessions of the city of Pistoia, those of Bologna, and the Papacy, but fortunately, in the end, the annexation to the city of Bologna was relatively peaceful, through diplomatic agreements, and the territory of Camugnanese was placed under the control of the Captains of the Mountain, whose main seat was in Vergato.
WHAT TO SEE AND DO - SUVIANA AND BRASIMONE LAKES PARK
A visit to Palazzo Comelli is worthwhile, an example of high bourgeois mountain architecture, with internal courtyards, the Farmer's House, barns, and haylofts.
Very interesting are the large sundial and the beautiful Oratory, that of Santa Maria in Porcole; currently, the Palace houses the Ecomuseum of Camugnano.
From here, you can enjoy a fantastic view of the Suviana lake.
The lake is part of the Regional Park of Suviana and Brasimone, in the Bolognese mountains, among oak, beech, and conifer forests, with the two artificial lakes providing a backdrop. For those who want a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and for outdoor activity lovers, this is the ideal place: it contains 30 kilometers of trails that traverse untouched nature, a natural habitat for rich local fauna, consisting of deer, fallow deer, and even wolves, catering to both those who want a peaceful walk, those who want to take a nice ride on a mountain bike, and those who wish to reach the summit of Monte Calvi, at 1283 meters above sea level; during winter, it is also possible to go night hiking with snowshoes.
On this occasion, you can also take trips to the villages of Bargi and Stagno, which are very picturesque. Obviously, given the presence of the two lakes, there is also the possibility to enjoy a nice swim and engage in sports activities like rowing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing, as well as rafting on the Limentra river. Near Lake Suviana, you will also find the Saltapicchio Adventure Park, which contains 10 courses, some specific for children and others for adults.
EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS
There are many events that take place in Camugnano: throughout the summer, as part of the Camugnanese Summer, you can listen to organ concerts in the church of Bargi, watch beautiful fireworks on Lake Suviana, and attend the 41st Historic Rally of the High Bolognese Apennines, but also savor delicious game dishes during the Wild Boar and Deer Festival, which usually takes place at the end of July; in September in Poranceto, there is the Honey Harvesting Festival, which is the practice of retrieving honey, with the possibility to taste honey-based products; the penultimate Sunday of October features the Borlengo and Castagnaccio Festival, during which, while strolling among local craft stalls, one can taste roasted chestnuts, castagnaccio, and borlenghi, a type of very thin and crunchy crepe; still at the end of October, both in Burzanella and Poranceto, there is the Chestnut Festival; at the beginning of November, there is the Tartufesta, with the opportunity to taste the fine white truffle from the Bolognese hills and many mountain specialties.
TYPICAL DISHES
Among the typical dishes of the peasant and mountain cuisine of Camugnano, we find the Strappe with poor sauce, a type of pasta made with water and flour, seasoned with sauce, minced lard, garlic, onion, and parsley. Another typical dish was the torti, made with chestnut flour and water and cooked between chestnut leaves to make the dough softer; if chestnut leaves were not used, the torti became crunchier, and in that case, they were called saporite. Normally, they are eaten with ricotta.
TOURIST OFFICE U.I.T
Camugnano - Piazza Kennedy Parking area behind the Library Reading Room
Tel. +39 0534 46677
Open from 16/9 to 14/6
Thursday, Saturday, and holidays from 8 to 13; from 15/6 to 15/9 also on Monday
MUNICIPALITY OF CAMUGNANO
Piazza Kennedy, 1 -
Tel.: +39 0534 41 711
www.comunecamugnano.gov.it
OTHER USEFUL CONTACTS
A.S.L. (Local Health Authority) Hospital of PORRETTA TERME - Via Oreste Zagnoni, 5 · 0534 20711
First Aid tel. 118
HOW TO GET TO CAMUGNANO
CAR: From the North, the exit from the A1 Highway to reach CAMUGNANO is that of RiOVEGGIO, then continue on Provincial Road 325 and then 62 towards Camugnano; alternatively, from Bologna, SS64 Porrettana, direction Porretta/Pistoia, then at Riola di Vergato take Provincial Road 62 to Camugnano. Coming from the South, the exit on the A1 Variant of VAlico is that of BADIA, then continue on Provincial Road 62 towards Camugnano.
TRAIN: Metropolitan Railway Service, with frequent service, from Bologna Centrale direction Prato, San Benedetto Val di Sambro station, then local buses to Castiglion de Pepoli with a change for Camugnano. (BUS TPER)
CAMUGNANO
