Just a short detour from the trail, in the locality of Confienti, lies a hidden gem of the Bolognese Apennines: a small oratory dedicated to the Madonna of the Rosary and Saints Fabian, Sebastian, and Roch.

It is the oldest oratory in the Emilia-Romagna region, built by local residents in gratitude for surviving the plague of 1630. Mentioned in several historical documents, it has endured many vicissitudes over the centuries but was recently restored thanks to the efforts of the Lagaro Parish and Pro Loco association.

The oratory has a rectangular plan and a simple gabled structure, with a circular window on the façade and a small bell gable on the roof. A small, hidden treasure not to be missed.

Just above the Sanctuary of Montovolo, this simple stone chapel—an authentic gem of mountain Romanesque architecture—houses remarkable 14th-century frescoes depicting Paradise, Purgatory, and Hell. Knights and ladies, Christ and the four Evangelists, episodes from the life of Saint Catherine, and the striking allegories of Youth and Death can all be seen inside.

According to tradition, the chapel was built at the behest of a group of Bolognese feudal lords returning from the Fifth Crusade (1217–29) and who had taken part in the Battle of Damietta. Its unique name has earned Montovolo the nickname “the Bolognese Sinai.”

On the south wall, the marks left by the front lines during the Second World War are still visible.

A majestic castle, Rocchetta Mattei takes its name from Count Cesare Mattei (1809–1896), who built it on the ruins of an earlier 13th-century structure, the Rocca di Savignano. An eclectic figure, the Count, after an unsuccessful political career, devoted his life to the study of electrohomeopathy—an alternative medicine that gained great popularity between the late 1800s and early 1900s, earning him widespread fame.

Mattei personally directed the construction of the castle, which was later modified by him and his heirs into a labyrinth of staircases, halls, towers, and rooms, blending multiple architectural styles.

A place of incredible charm, its visit is an experience that cannot leave anyone indifferent.

A beautiful medieval village, remarkably well preserved, allowing visitors to step back into a world of another time. Mentioned in 13th-century documents, its name likely derives from the Roman term Sculca, meaning a lookout post in an elevated position.

The village was originally established for military purposes, defending the monastic centre of Montovolo—a function still evident in its urban layout, where several towers stand out.

Equally striking is a majestic cypress, a centuries-old tree estimated to be over 700 years old. Also very charming is the small nearby village of Gli Sterpi, just a short distance from La Scola.

An incredible work with an equally remarkable story, born in 1965 from a meeting between the great Finnish architect Alvar Aalto and the then-Cardinal of Bologna, Giacomo Lercaro. The project faced countless difficulties and obstacles, so much so that neither of them lived to see the complex completed in 1978. Yet, thanks to the determination of the parish priest of Riola and a few local residents, this small village was able to witness the realization of a true treasure of modern architecture.

Designed to integrate seamlessly with its natural surroundings, the church represents the culmination of Aalto’s personal exploration of sacred architecture. It is part of a parish complex entirely designed by him, which also includes a spacious forecourt, the bell tower, the sacristy, and the rectory.

Located within the Montovolo and Monte Vigese Park, at 912 metres above sea level, the Sanctuary stands on a plateau connecting the two mountains. In Etruscan times, a temple dedicated to the goddess Pale occupied this site. Around the year 1000, the plateau became known as Monte Ovolo, due to its shape, and the first Christian church was built. The current building, however, dates to 1211, as inscribed on the lunette above the entrance.

Its unmistakable Romanesque style features a single nave and a wooden trussed ceiling; this ancient simplicity is the defining characteristic of a sacred site long cherished by metropolitan canons, who, from 1045 onwards, ascended the mountain, establishing a millennial connection between the Sanctuary of Montovolo and Bologna’s Cathedral of San Pietro.

The bell tower, dating to 1838, houses a still-functioning sundial. Above the main altar is a large wooden sculpture of the Blessed Virgin and Child, dating from the 15th century. A sacred image of the Madonna, hidden in the Oratory of Gli Sterpi at the foot of the mountain, survived the destruction of the Second World War and was returned to its place after the conflict.

The most fascinating part, uncovered around 1925, is the crypt—a vital testament to the original church, upon whose plan the current structure was built. The church was designated a Sanctuary in 1925 and shines with a unique charm thanks to restoration work that revealed its original style. Every twenty-five years, since 1950, the Madonna’s statue is carried in pilgrimage to nearby communities, blessing the local faithful.

Just a few steps above the Sanctuary is the small but captivating Oratory of Saint Catherine of Alexandria of Egypt. This distinctive name earned Montovolo the nickname “the Bolognese Sinai.” Its construction, also dating to the early 13th century, was the fulfillment of a vow by a group of Bolognese crusaders returning from Damietta.

Inside, visitors are treated to surprising 15th-century frescoes. Two sacred sites, closely connected to each other and immersed in pristine natural surroundings, offering a profound spiritual and historical experience.