CASTENASO
Guide to CASTENASO
CASTENASO is a town of 15,214 inhabitants in the province of Bologna.
The first settlements date back to the 9th century BC, and relate to Villanovan culture; the presence of the Romans is also well documented, and the name Castenaso seems to derive from the Latin Castrum Nasicae, in memory of the battle between the consul Publius Cornelius Scipio Nasica who defeated the Boi Gauls between 190 and 189 BC.
In the Middle Ages, the territory was under the control of the city of Bologna, and it is in the documents of the time that the name Castenasio first appears, but it was only at the end of the 1800s that the town began to have its own distinct and separate identity.
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN CASTENASO
Worth a visit:
- Palazzo Guidotti, which has beautiful barrel vaults dating back to the 17th century in the cellars;
- Casa Bondi, currently home to the Municipal Library, which is an example of rural architecture of the Bolognese plain;
- the church of the Blessed Virgin of the Pillar, dedicated by the Rector of the College of Spain to the Virgin venerated in Zaragoza;
- Villa Marana, both for its 17th-century architecture, particularly evident in the facade, and for the interesting private art collection.
Very interesting is the Museum of Villanovan Civilization, established in 1853 by Count Giovanni Gozzadini, who discovered in this area, at the end of the 1800s, the remains of a culture he called, and which is now internationally recognized, the Villanovans, named after the locality on which his land stood. The museum displays the stelae and burial goods from the necropolis of Marano di Castenaso, dating back to the 7th century BC, accessible also through a multimedia system of projections, touchscreen, and videos.
Castenaso is located at the center of the Motor Valley, an area that crosses the whole of Emilia Romagna where you can find 7 famous car and motorcycle manufacturing companies known worldwide, such as Lamborghini and Ferrari. There are many activities to do there, starting from visits to the museums up to events, such as races, that take place throughout the year. However, it's also possible to have fun simply with your own vehicle, driving along the beautiful roads of the region. Among the many particular collections you can find in this area, the Moto Poggi Collection in Villanova di Castenaso is worth a visit, which retraces the history of competition motorcycles from Yamaha. Among the over 60 displayed models, enthusiasts can see the YDS-1R from 1959, a true rare gem, as well as the evolution of the Yamaha TZ, from vintage models to more recent ones. In addition to more classic bikes, the collection also includes motorcycles ridden by great champions, such as Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo.
EVENTS AND MANIFESTATIONS
Many events take place throughout the year in Castenaso:
- on March 19, for Saint Joseph’s Day, there is the Raviola Festival, where you can taste the raviole di Fiesso (short pastry filled with Bolognese mustard and black plum jam), traditionally dipped in red wine;
- on the second weekend of April, there is the Spring Festival, with food and wine stands, music, and a crafts market featuring typical products displayed and sold throughout the town;
- in mid-September, the Grape Festival takes place, this year at its 62nd edition, with exhibitions, food and wine stands, and music; the historical reenactment, in costume, of the last battle along the Idice River between the Boi Gauls and the legions of the Roman consul Publius Cornelius Scipio is very interesting.
- On the last weekend of September, in the hamlet of Marano, the Peasant Festival is held, featuring an exhibition of agricultural machinery and the opportunity to taste dishes prepared by local cooks (an ancient term referring to housewives), such as spit-roasted veal, now a tradition for the festival;
- between the last weekend of September and the first weekend of October, the Beer Festival takes place: on this occasion, you can savor all the typical dishes of Bavarian cuisine, from various types of sausages to sauerkraut, to roasted pork knuckle with beer and, of course, apple strudel and Sachertorte, all accompanied by beer that comes directly from Munich in original wooden kegs.
- In December, the streets and squares are decorated for the Christmas Markets, featuring stalls of local crafts and food and wine stands.
Pro Loco CASTENASO
c/o Centro Sociale Ricreativo e Culturale "L'Airone"
Via Marconi, 14
tel. +39 051 604 9134
www.prolococastenaso.it
Comune di Castenaso
Via XXI Ottobre 1944, 7
Tel. +39 051 605 91 11
www.comune.castenaso.bo.it
where it is and how to reach Castenaso
CAR: From the A14 Motorway, the exit to reach Castenaso is Bologna San Lazzaro; from the Bologna ring road, take exits no. 12 or no. 13.
TRAIN: Metropolitan Railway Service, with frequent frequency, from Bologna Centrale to Villanova or Castenaso.
CASTENASO
