The uniqueness of the name “Madonna del Monte delle Formiche” comes from an ancient and still unexplained phenomenon that occurs during the first ten days of September: the migration of thousands of winged ants (Myrmica scabrinodis) to the summit of this promontory, located between the Idice Valley and the Zena Valley.

Monte delle Formiche is a place where nature’s mysteries intertwine with faith. On this rocky spur between the two valleys that give it its name, history, sacredness, and legend converge, making it a spiritual landmark since ancient times. At 638 meters above sea level, the mountain was formed by a marine uplift millennia ago, visible in the rock strata along its sheer slopes.

The site has been an area of ancient settlements and a sacred place since pagan times. Every September 8th, and for the whole week around it, inhabitants from many Apennine villages gather here, maintaining a ritual deeply rooted in popular culture.

In the medieval period, a pleban church likely governed the area. The earliest documented records date to around the year 1000, when the site was part of the holdings of Matilda of Canossa, who donated it to the Bishop of Pisa.

The current church, with its large surrounding portico, was rebuilt after the devastation of World War II, and is accompanied by the original bell tower dating back to 1727. Every year, in early September, devotees lay large cloths on the churchyard to collect the winged ants that arrive to mate and die within hours. This ancient tradition concludes with the blessing and distribution of small colorful packets containing the ants to the faithful.

The Monte delle Formiche experience is rich with stories beyond this ritual, including that of the hermit Barberio, who lived in a cave just beneath the church and could attend Mass in complete solitude.

Halfway between Zena and Monte delle Formiche lies the village of Tazzola. Upon entering the village, a sign on the wall of an old barn marks the Museum of Botroids, a collection of anthropomorphic stones discovered along the Zena stream in the 1960s by Luigi Fantini. These stones reveal the history of the land from the Pliocene to the present.

It is a unique geological journey, where visitors are encouraged to touch, see, and smell the stones, experiencing 80 million years of Earth’s history in a direct and engaging way. The site is full of surprises, just like the surrounding Contrafforte Pliocenico, a natural reserve rich in millennia-old natural monuments.

Extremely ancient and of Matildic origin, the Castle of Zena was built before the year 1000 and, over the centuries, has served many purposes and undergone numerous transformations. It has been a border outpost between Tuscany and Emilia, a prison, a residence, and even a German command post during the Second World War. Many stories and legends surround this building, which is hoped to be restored and reopened to the public in the future.

Likely connected to the castle is the Torre dell’Erede (or ‘Tower of the Net’), located just a little uphill from the castle, originally built as a watchtower. It is currently private property and cannot be visited, but it remains an important landmark along the route.

Monte Bibele is a rare and precious cultural project. Studied continuously for over fifty years, it represents the most important archaeological complex in Italy—and one of the best-known in Europe—regarding alliances between Celts, Etruscans, and other Italic peoples who resisted the Roman advance.

Since 2015, the site has been fully revitalized through the musealization of the Etrusco-Celtic settlement of Pianella di Monte Savino, the creation of a Visitor Center, and the restoration of the ancient Via della Carrozza pathway. New excavations, restorations, and the reconstruction of original walking surfaces and internal roads have marked the rebirth of this archaeological site, laying the foundation for its full valorization, accessibility, and recognition in Europe.

The route within the site allows visitors to experience a past brought vividly to life—centered in the 4th and 3rd centuries BCE, when Celts and Etruscans occupied the Idice Valley—made tangible through reconstructions of ancient dwellings situated among the village’s archaeological remains. All this occurs within a context of great natural and landscape value, surrounded by geological formations and rich biodiversity.

The Monte Bibele Archaeological Area and the Archaeological Museum in Monterenzio are distinct sites but connected through a unified management project, forming the first two nodes of a “Network Park” concept, with the third node being the surrounding territory itself. Guided tours and educational-scientific activities, led by specialized archaeologists, allow visitors to directly explore ancient production techniques and lifestyles of the past.

Arrival of the third stage – Loiano

Loiano is ideally located for those wishing to use it as a base for excursions and trips, offering access to places where nature, history, and human labor have left enduring testimonies for attentive visitors. Situated along the Via della Futa, the historic route connecting Bologna and Florence, Loiano has long served as a convenient stop for travelers and a perfect holiday destination.

The area is largely dedicated to organic agriculture, producing high-quality local products such as cereals, dairy items, chestnuts, and their derivatives, all well promoted by local restaurants. The town also offers sports facilities and outdoor activity routes suitable even for the most demanding enthusiasts.

A rich and diverse cultural offer includes the Astronomical Observatory, the Giardini del Casoncello, the Percorso dei Mulini, and the significant works of art preserved in the parish churches, which enhance visits to the many typical local hamlets. Additionally, numerous events celebrate local traditions, such as the Festa D’la Batdura, Festa nel Bosco, initiatives by the Pro Loco, Viva il Verde, and many active local associations.