The Fortress of Montese has always been the sentinel of the upper Panaro Valley. In fact, it is a fortress that is capable of dominating the vast panorama of the high Apennines as far as glimpsing the Po Valley. Already the route to reach it is another medieval and ancient element, in fact visitors are faced with a stone-paved road that goes around the walls to climb up a hill in strict pine forest.

Housed in the ancient Rocca is a “Museum of the Territory” dedicated to historical settlements and local material culture.Amidst villages and forests, enriched with monuments and the Historical Museum of the Rocca in Montese and the Museum of Memory in Iola, the Places and Paths of Memory instead winds through 23 km of trails in the Montese area. Like a dialogue between the past of a long year of war and a present aimed at peace, the Museo Diffuso travels through the mountains and valleys of the Montesino area recounting the harshness of the period from the summer of ’44 leading up to the end of World War II in April ’45. The trail, well indicated by signage and free of difficulties, is easy to walk, even in stages, for the whole family or school groups.

The Borlengo Festival at Rocca di Roffeno (Castel d’Aiano) in June deserves a mention: an entire day dedicated to the best-known food of the “cucina povera” of the Bolognese and Modenese mountains. Visitors will be welcomed by food stands that will offer traditional mountain chocolate in addition to borlenghi.There will also be entertainment, stalls and a marketplace. There is also room for foodies in July with the Festival of Wines and Ancient Flavors, with tastings, local products, food booth, music and street performances.