Emilia Romagna Castles

In the heart of Frignano Regional Park, Pavullo is situated south of the provincial capital, Modena, and is the second largest municipality in the province in terms of land area. 

To discover an area rich in history, traditions, environmental treasures and memories of the past. 

Pavullo nel Frignano is of great importance for the numerous environmental and artistic points of interest throughout its territory.

It was once the main Roman stronghold in the Modena Apennines; to this day the Castle of Raimondo Montecuccolo, ruler of Frignano, still stands well-preserved. 

As well as the original town centre, it is well worth visiting the Ducal Palace and Park, the Parish Church of St Bartholomew, the Church of St Francis of Assisi and the modern art gallery. 

From an environmental point of view, the Sassoguidano reserve, mountain-bike trails, numerous nature itineraries, the possibility of trekking, and a centre for equestrian tourism are all worth a mention. 

In the surrounding area there is also a fishing lake, and a parachuting and gliding school. 

Civil airport for private flights. 

The best time of year to visit Pavullo is during the summer, from June to September, when the temperature is mild and there are plenty of green areas to find some shade. Nonetheless, during the autumn, winter and spring the town offers colours and panoramas which cannot be missed by lovers of nature and tranquility. 

Among the accommodation solutions on offer, we would like to make a special mention of the Cubo con Vista, a glass cube created for you to fall asleep while admiring the view of the valley. 

Montecuccolo Castle, Renno Parish Church, Olina Bridge, Ducal Park, hamlets and towers.

Crescentine (flatbreads), borlenghi (savoury pancakes), mushrooms, chestnuts, local charcuterie and cheeses such as Parmesan and ricotta.

The airport is home to a gliding school with winch launch, the only one of its kind in Italy, and to a flying school. Around the runway there is also a circular fitness trail, equipped with exercise stations and illuminated at night so that this magnificent green basin can be enjoyed year-round. 

There is an outdoor swimming pool, surrounded by a green pine forest. 

The Civic Galleries of the Ducal Palace which house contemporary art exhibitions and other artistic and cultural events. The “Arts Factory”, an educational art studio where workshops are organised for schoolchildren of all ages, as well as eco-art projects for adults, and training courses and projects for specialists and teachers. 

The Mac Mazzieri Cinema-Theatre, of particular importance for the area, not only as a cinema but also for theatre activities.  

The G. Santini Municipal Library, a welcoming place which offers various services to the public and organises initiatives to promote reading, and cultural and leisure activities for adults and children, as well as guided tours for schools of all age-groups.

Tennis Centre, Public Swimming Pool, Cross-country Ski Trail, Municipal Stadium with athletics track, hiking trails, mountain-bike trails, and itineraries to admire the main historical and natural points of interest throughout our territory, including those within the Sassoguidano Nature Reserve. 

June: Fair of the Mountain Economy (every two years)

24th August: St Bartholomew’s Fair

October: Chestnut Fair 

Every Saturday: Weekly Market

Every Tuesday from May to October: Farmers’ and Organic Market 

First Sunday of the month: Antiques, Bric-a-Brac and Crafts Market

Every Tuesday during July and August: Evening Market.

ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone): Historic Centre (Via Giardini) Saturdays and Sunday afternoons

Bike sharing.

The territory belonging to the Municipality of Pavullo is subdivided between the capital and 21 outlying hamlets or small villages. 

Benedello, Camatta, Castagneto, Coscogno, Crocette, Frassineti, Gaiato, Iddiano, Niviano, Miceno, Montebonello, Montorso, Monzone, Olina, Renno, Sassoguidano, and Verica.

In the outlying villages, there are examples of civil architecture such as Montecuccolo Castle, home to important art collections by Pavullo artists, Covili and Biolchini, and a nature museum which has on display collections of minerals, herbs, plants and animals from the Frignano area. 

On the surrounding hills there stand numerous medieval towers, important traces of a complex defensive system, such as the towers of Lavacchio, Torricella, Gaiato, Semese, Montorso and Vie Cave. 

In Monteobizzo there is a beautiful Romanesque apse within the former Parish Church of Saints Vincent and Anastasius.

Other examples of religious architecture include the Romanesque village churches of Renno, Verica and Coscogno. 

All the churches of the area preserve precious traces of faith and devotion, including, for example, the fifteenth-century frescoes in Montebello church, the portal of the parish church of Coscogno, the statues in the church of Verica attributed to the sculptor Begarelli, the stone altarpiece in the church of Monzone, and the picturesque church of Sassoguidano.