The Centro della Terra is located in an area full of environmental and historical beauties, between Emilia and Tuscany .
The surrounding natural parks are four: the Acquerino biogenetic reserve , the regional park of the lakes of Suviana and Brasimone , the regional park of the Corno alle Scale and the provincial park of Montovolo and Vigese , all a few kilometers away from us and well connected by paths that also cross the woods of the center.
The upper Reno valley is dotted with suggestive medieval villages, many of which are still almost entirely in stone. The most famous is La Scola , dating back to the XII century and perfectly preserved, guarded by an imposing millennial cypress. The village is located on the slopes of Montovolo, the sacred Etruscan mountain , a place of great geological, landscape and archaeological interest. Rich in spontaneous flora and inhabited by a great variety of animal and arboreal species, the sacred vocation of the mountain meant that important sanctuaries were established here both in pagan and Roman times.
The green road that connects Montovolo to the Center also leads to the Rocchetta Mattei , a wonderful eclectic style building built in the late 1800s by Count Cesare Mattei, healer and discoverer of electro-homeopathy. What was his residence and health resort is today an important cultural center, visited every year by hundreds of people attracted to the events organized in the castle and its fascinating history.
Centuries-old chestnut trees, rivers, immense forests and wild valleys: the nature that embraces us is intense and engaging, lovers of walks, both long and short, are always satisfied by the generosity of these mountains.
Those who prefer to walk in the city enjoying an uncontaminated environment to return to, will be able to stay at the Center and visit Bologna , Florence , Pistoia or Lucca , easily reachable both by car and by train from Porretta Terme , a beautiful spa town about ten km from us, known for its beneficial waters.
To find out more, here are some sites we recommend you visit:
santuariomontovolo.it
ceeaacquerino.jimdo.it
cornoallescale.net
parks.it/parco.suviana.brasimone
www.rocchettamattei-riola.it
For several years now, the Upper Reno Valley has been experiencing an important socio-economic transformation. There are many people who are rediscovering these places and choosing them to undertake agricultural and receptive, artistic and educational activities based on human and environmental sustainability.
Among the many interesting realities, we would like to highlight a few:
- ZAD agrodynamics by Enrico Zagnoli, biodynamic beekeeping: www.demeter.it
- Cà dei Fiori, cultivation of biodynamic and biological medicinal plants: www.cadeifiori.it
- The garden of Pimpinella, herbal education: www.pimpinella.it
- Sassiscritti cultural association, poetry, music and theater: www.sassiscritti.wordpress.com
- Associazione Il Campanile dei Ragazzi, volunteering, sociality and culture in Pioppe di Salvaro: www.campaniledeiragazzi.org
- Madreselva Cooperative, hiking, environmental education, green weeks in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines: www.coopmadreselva.it