Linaro: Hiking Routes, Cycle Paths and Church History

Circular hikes through the lower hills, a cycle route along the Canale dei Mulini and the history of the church of San Pietro Apostolo offer different starting points for planning a trip to Linaro. The Osservatorio Astronomico and historic sites are also among the town’s specific attractions. If you are looking for a hotel in Linaro, you can first consider whether you would like to focus your stay on the landscape, cycling or church history.

Hiking Routes Through Hills and Countryside

The circular hike Le basse colline di Linaro passes through the lower hills, amid cultivated greenery. It starts and ends at the Linaro cemetery and passes Villa Torano. The ground conditions are also important when planning: the clay soil is not recommended in heavy rain. If you plan this route, take this limitation into account when choosing when to go.

The Poggiolo e Morine route has a different landscape. It follows a ridge between the Rio dei Palazzi and the upper reaches of the Rio delle Morine. From there, it offers views of vineyards, woodland in the lower hills and the nearby city of Imola. The route passes the Linaro cemetery and then continues to the SP Montanara. This lets you compare the circular hike with the description of the ridge and its views without combining the two routes into a single trail.

Cycling and Nature

The Imola–Casa del Fiume route follows the Santerno cycle and footpath along the Canale dei Mulini. One route also mentions the Paroli and Linaro mills; the Linaro mill is one of them. Alongside the canal, these named mills provide points of reference for the landscape and its history.

The Vivaio Forestale Zerina in Imola is one of three regional tree nurseries and supports the conservation of plant biodiversity. This adds an institutional connection to the plant world to the route-related themes. For nature lovers, this offers a different perspective from the views of vineyards and woodland described on the Poggiolo e Morine route.

The Osservatorio Astronomico

Near Linaro, a circular hike heads toward the Osservatorio Astronomico. The observatory has a demonstration room, an exhibition room and a dome measuring 4.5 metres in diameter, which houses the main telescope. If you plan to visit the observatory, contact the facility directly. This lets you include the astronomical site as a separate subject in your trip planning and distinguish the direction of the hike from a visit to the observatory.

San Pietro Apostolo and the History of Linaro

The parish of San Pietro Apostolo in Linaro has existed since at least the 15th century. The present-day church was solemnly consecrated on 29 September 1928 and has a Latin cross floor plan. These details connect the parish’s long history with a specific date and an architectural feature of the present-day church.

The rectory houses a Madonna del Rosario that for a long time previously crowned the church’s dome. Its present location in the rectory and its former position on the dome give the artwork its own history within the church complex.

Casa Rigolino is also linked to a specific historic event: the house was the scene of gunfire during a May Day demonstration on 1 May 1922. The ruins of Villa Nardozzi in Linaro are visible from the road. As their condition may change, check the current situation before visiting. Together with the church history, these places offer further points of interest if you are also curious about Linaro’s past during your trip.

Discover more destinations: Castello Di Serravalle, Casalfiumanese, Anzola Dell'emilia, Roncobilaccio, Vidiciatico, Quarto Inferiore, Scuola, Molinella.

For the main travel overview: Bologna.