Leave Riolo Terme in the direction of Casola Valsenio, following the SS 306 riolese casolana; after 6 km you come to the village of Borgo Rivola; continue to Casola Valsenio which is another 6 km away. Worth a visit here is Monte Battaglia, a strategic place during the Second World War, and Abbazia di Valsenio, a 10th century abbey. Shortly before the village, after passing on your right the “Cardello” – originally a Benedictine guesthouse and now the premises of the museum foundation of the writer Alfredo Oriani– turn left in the direction of Monte Prugno/Fontanelice, following the famous “strada della lavanda” (lavender road) on which can be found the magnificent Il Giardino delle Erbe “A. Rinaldi Ceroni”, a botanical garden full of rare herbs. Over the hill is Monte Prugno where you can enjoy a magnificent and awe-inspiring view of the valley of Imola and of the Vena del Gesso, a long silvery outcrop of gypsum crystals typical of the geological formation of the hills in the area.
Further on is Fontanelice, an age-old village of archaeological and medieval interest on the Città del Vino (Wine town) circuit and the birthplace of Giuseppe Mengoni, the architect who designed the stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan and to whom is dedicated an impressive museum.
Leaving the village, turn right on the SS 610 in the direction of Imola which is little over 18 km away, passing on the way Borgo Tossignano and Casalfiumanese, two attractive old villages. At the same time you can visit the Santuario di Riviera, the oldest place of worship in the entire Valle del Santerno and the only convent that remains in the area. It is a complex built in the 14th century and has some magnificent 16th century frescos. A painting was found in the church of Our Lady with Child, which has been attributed to Jacopo Bellini and is currently held in the Picture Gallery of Brera.
At Imola, continue along Via Emilia in the direction of Castelbolognese (about 7 km) – you can take a break here and visit the Church of S. Francesco, with its curious octagonal layout, or the 16th century church of S. Sebastiano – and then turn right again to Riolo Terme (8 km). When you arrive here, a relaxing dip in the thermal pools is the perfect way to end the day!
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