Bosco del Poranceto

The Poranceto is a centuries-old chestnut forest of majestic ancient trees located within the Suviana and Brasimone Lakes Park, one of the most evocative areas of the Bolognese mountains. It is not just a simple chestnut grove but a forest full of gigantic, twisted, hollow, millenary chestnut trees, up to 8 metres in diameter, true living green monuments. Nestled in this suggestive setting is the Museo del Bosco, the park's visitor centre, dedicated to the forest ecosystem and traditional chestnut cultivation. The museum benefits from the recovered space of old rural buildings set in a magnificent centuries-old chestnut grove, featuring a stable, hayloft and chestnut drying room. The small room on the ground floor proposes a layout that introduces the visitor to the botanical, vegetational and silvicultural characteristics of the four main mountain forests: mixed oak, chestnut, beech and conifer reforestations. On the gallery, closed by a large and atmospheric window overlooking the forest, visitors will find a diorama focusing on the forest-animal relationship, while on the floor below, within the evocative environment of the barn, the man-forest relationship is explored in its historical development, from traditional management (wood, charcoal) to the civilisation of the chestnut (forest management, processing, products), by way of two models depicting a charcoal kiln and a chestnut dryer. Outside, the Ente Parchi Emilia Orientale (Eastern Emilia Parks Authority) has recently refurbished a short but interesting educational itinerary, dedicated to both children and adult visitors, to stimulate the discovery of the various aspects of the territory through a multi-sensory perception of the environment, alternating images, three-dimensional models, moments of reflection and observation supported by illustrations, bas-reliefs and historical and modern photographs. The Poranceto forest can be reached from the A1 motorway, exit Badia, continuing on to Castiglione dei Pepoli, Camugnano, Bacino di Suviana as far as Barceda, and eventually Bosco Poranceto. Alternatively, it may be reached from the SS 61 "Porrettana" highway, continuing to Camugnano, Lake Suviana, Bargi, Baigno, Barceda, and finally Bosco Poranceto.