Riolunato: Culture, Trails and Landscape

Riolunato brings together a range of themes that you can prioritize differently on your trip: sacred art and historic houses, a medieval bridge, trails along the Scoltenna, and nature and outdoor activities. If you’re looking for a hotel in Riolunato, these highlights can help you plan your trip around your interests.

Cultural History in Riolunato

The parish church of San Giacomo preserves a crucifix by contemporary sculptor Iorio Vivarelli. Casa Ferrari is an example of a medieval house in Riolunato. At Casa Gestri, history and art come together: the house once served as the seat of the local civic authorities, and its fresco, dated to 1462, depicts the Virgin Mary, Saint George and another saint. Riolunato’s cultural history therefore encompasses both a work by a contemporary sculptor and medieval architecture, as well as a precisely dated subject in art.

The Oratorio dell'Ospedale, also known as Santa Maria della Misericordia, once served as accommodation for pilgrims and people in need. Its former function adds a specific social purpose to the evidence of religious art and local history. The Ponte della Fola has Romanesque origins and was probably built in the late Middle Ages. It is considered the only known example of a two-arched stone bridge in all of Emilia. Its historical connections thus range from a former purpose as accommodation to a bridge design described as particularly distinctive in the region.

Landscape and Nature

Parco della Vallona has several pieces of playground equipment for children, benches and picnic tables. Rio Monio has carved a gorge described as the deepest in the Modenese Apennines. Cascata della Pollina is a waterfall with a drop of almost 20 meters. The gorge is the main feature at Rio Monio, while at Cascata della Pollina it is the waterfall’s height: the two places offer different landscape highlights.

Trails and Activities

An old medieval road runs above Riolunato along the Scoltenna, through chestnut woods, and is still passable on foot. Check local conditions before setting out. The ski slopes at Le Polle are 13 km from the town center and can be reached by following the signs to Castello. This gives you both a historic route that can be walked and specific distance and directions for reaching the ski slopes.

In the Gole del Torrente Scoltenna area, canyoning and guided excursions along the waterways are offered on the Scoltenna and Rio Monio. Guided nature walks and excursions to Monte Cimone and other parts of the municipality are also available in Riolunato. Fishing is a traditional activity, and fish are regularly stocked in local waters. The nearby Torrente Scoltenna can be paddled by canoe during the spring months.

Il Maggio delle Ragazze is a local cultural tradition celebrated every three years on the night of April 30. If you’re planning for a particular year, check the date for that year. The timing differs between these activities: canoeing is tied to the spring months, while the tradition follows a three-year cycle and has a specific date.

Discover more destinations: Medolla, Carpi, Casa Pisa, Lesignana, Mirandola, Maranello, Romanoro, Serramazzoni.

For the broader travel overview: Modena.