Among the Ancient Trees

Wandering through ancient villages and expanses of chestnut groves, in those places you visit for the first time or where you are used to walking, you look up and catch a glimpse of the ancient trees. Guess their age until you lose count.

Find out where to find monumental trees in and around Bologna

Borgo La Scola Cypress (Grizzana Morandi, BO)

In the enchanting and perfectly preserved Borgo La Scola a Grizzana Morandi, pearl of the Bologna Apennines, between the high peaks of the towers and the historic buildings, stands the majestic cypress that, with its 25 m height and an estimated age of over 700 years, is a real natural monument, perfectly inserted in the harmony of the mountain landscape. The cypress is, in fact, a very longlived tree that can exceed 500 years of age, as in this case, and is a symbol of immortality and wisdom in the local culture.

Park of the Chestnut Grove of Granaglione (Alto Reno Terme, BO)

The chestnut tree represents the intimate and deep relationship that binds it to mankind. Therefore, the Fondazione Cassa di Risparmio together with the Accademia dell'Agricoltura have created a 10-hectare experimental and educational park to rediscover chestnut growing and to keep its tradition alive. Through the creation of an efficient centre for the protection of biodiversity, this park is committed to the promotion of a cultural and scientific itinerary for the enhancement of agricultural and food resources and illustrates the history of the chestnut tree and the various forms of recovery.

Chestnut Grove of Poranceto Woods (Poranceto, Baigno, Camugnano, BO)

The centuries-old "woods grandfathers" at the Poranceto Woods have a circumference of up to 10 metres. It tells of a distant and magical past, for those who have time to stop and listen. And right here comes the Museum, housed in the restored spaces of old rural buildings (such as the cattleshed and the hayloft), where you learn about the differences between the types of forests of the area and their connection to human history.

Bald Cypress of the Museo della Civiltà Contadina (via Sammarina 35, Bentivoglio, BO)

In the area in front of Villa Smeraldi in Bentivoglio, which houses the Museo della Civiltà Contadina, there are numerous examples of horse chestnut, near the ice-house and the dovecote, while in the larger area behind the historic house, the vegetation is varied: from the most typical plants to those who follow the rules of design of the "romantic" garden, coming from different vegetation realities. On the other hand, there are powerful trees with bright colours such as elms, holm oaks and laburnum, but none of them compete with the majestic example of bald cypress that stands on the shores of the lake.

Ginkgo Biloba in Largo Respighi (Bologna)

This ancient tree certainly does not go unnoticed, for its foliage of a thousand colors and for its mighty pride, well rooted not far from the City Opera House of Bologna. The Ginkgo Biloba, also known as the "Tree of the 40 Shields", has rather curious leaves, small, unusually fanshaped and split, and 150 million years ago, in the lands now called Asia, Europe and North America, it extended into huge forests inhabited by dinosaurs and all prehistoric animals. This true specimen of a living fossil is undoubtedly worth a visit.

Cedar in the Library of Imola (via Emilia 80, Imola, BO)

The Municipal Library is in the ancient fourteenth-century convent of St. Francis with a patrimony of about 450.000 volumes, rare books and unique documents. The rooms are beautifully frescoed and every corner oozes with history and beauty, not just inside. In the courtyard of the Library stands the ancient cedar, guardian of secrets and tales in the shade of its thick foliage. 

Plane Tree in Piazza Malpighi (Bologna)

Piazza Malpighi is a space without greenery, at the center of which stands the column of the Virgin Mary, with a copper statue of the Madonna designed by Guido Reni. However, in a small courtyard overlooking the square, there is a monumental plane tree that can be seen from afar and is the most imposing tree in the old town of Bologna. The green area is divided into two flowerbeds by a low wall and the first flowerbed is completely occupied by the underside of the plane tree.

Vine in Santa Maria in Regola (via Cosimo Morelli 8, Imola, BO)

It is probably the oldest church in Imola, dating back to the seventh century and stands on the ruins of another building of worship, a Benedictine monastery. Inside, it houses a large porticoed cloister whose protagonist is a very ancient and rare example of centuries-old vine that is presumed to be more than 200 years old. Its shoots cover the entire area, giving the sacred site an even more exciting and suggestive appearance.

Ancient Trees of the Parco dell’Osservanza (via Venturini 18, Imola, BO)

It soon became one of the most important mental hospitals in Italy, covering an area of about 140.000 square meters. Inside this historic complex in Imola are the Convent of the Osservanza and the Church of San Michele with two harmonious and elegant cloisters. In recent years, it has been the subject of an urban redevelopment project to enhance the green area with monumental centuries-old trees and 500 tree varieties. A unique complex, easily accessible to all, on foot or by bike, and equipped with new lighting and video surveillance systems for the safety of all visitors.

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Fantini Vine (Pianoro, BO)

During an exploration of the hills around Pianoro (BO), Luigi Fantini, a famous archaeologist and speleologist, discovered a rare example of vine, survived the devastating epidemic of phylloxera that caused most of the European vineyards to disappear at the end of the 1800s. The plant, with a trunk of about 120 cm in circumference and shoots of over 10 meters, is coupled with an ancient elm. In 2002, Stefano Galli found the vine in a state of abandonment and did his best for its survival. After extensive research, they established that the centuries-old "Fantini vine" does not belong to any of the vines listed in the National Register of Vine Varieties, but that it is a particular autonomous variety.