Farneto: Grotta del Farneto, Cycling Route and Festival Tradition

Farneto combines the archaeological history of the Grotta del Farneto with practical route information and the religious tradition of the Festa della Madonna della Cintura. For planning your trip, there are several different points of interest: the cave and its history of archaeological finds, a cycling connection between railway stations, routes to the sinkholes, and a festival programme held at a specific time of year.

Grotta del Farneto and archaeological history

Francesco Orsoni discovered the Grotta del Farneto in 1871 and carried out the first important archaeological investigations there. In the 1960s, Luigi Fantini discovered Copper Age burials in the cave. The finds are on display at the Archaeological Museum of Bologna. The dates mark different phases: Orsoni’s discovery and early investigations, and Fantini’s later discovery of the burials. When planning your trip, it is also important to distinguish between the cave where the finds were discovered and their exhibition location in Bologna.

Cycling routes and wayfinding

The Ciclovia dei Gessi di Gaibola begins at San Lazzaro di Savena station and ends at Ozzano station. If you would like to combine the bike ride with a train journey, check the train connections separately.

After the Centro parco “Luigi Fantini” and the nearby Grotta del Farneto, the cycling route continues to La Cicogna. There, you can rejoin the cycle path to San Lazzaro di Savena station or return to Ozzano station via Via Palazzetti. Your preferred return point determines which option to take: reach San Lazzaro by continuing along the cycle path, or Ozzano via Via Palazzetti.

Information and trails to the sinkholes

The Centro Visita “Casa Fantini” provides information materials on various aspects of the protected area and the park’s activities. You can also get information there about nature and cave tours for schools and visitor groups. When planning a visit, check the current opening arrangements before travelling.

From Casa Fantini, the route follows CAI Trail 804 to CAI Trail 806; the latter’s circular route skirts the Gaibola and Ronzana sinkholes. The route therefore lays out a sequence of a starting point, trail numbers and named landscape features. By contrast, the Ciclovia dei Gessi di Gaibola is defined by its railway-station endpoints; on this route from Casa Fantini, the CAI trails and sinkholes are the specific reference points.

Within the Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa protected area, Farneto has areas intended for recreation and transfers, which are scheduled for improvement.

Festa della Madonna della Cintura

During the Festa della Madonna della Cintura in Farneto, an 18th-century image of Mary and the Infant Jesus is carried in procession from the church of Farneto. For 2026, the Sagra paesana associated with the religious festival is scheduled to feature specialities prepared by the sfogline of Farneto: tortelloni, lasagne, polenta, grilled meat and crescentine. If you are planning to attend the Festa and Sagra, check the event dates before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Savigno, Vergato, Pieve Di Cento, Casalecchio Di Reno, Casette di Funo, Castello Di Serravalle, Sala Bolognese, Monzuno

For the broader travel overview: Bologna.