Official Tourist Information Site of Imola's Area
Before capturing the present name, this place was called the Castle (or Mass) St. Ambrose. It took the current name in the thirteenth century from the stronghold of Castellaccio, erected by the Alidosi along a river ("rio", in Italian). This community was long considered a place of special historical importance for its key position between Tuscany and Romagna, also favored by trade. Mount Bernasino, one kilometer north-west of the center, is remembered as the person Canossian Bonifacio, then Matilda, who in 1078 granted the territory to the Church of Pisa.
In 1124 it became property of the Church of Imola, then in 1186 it went to the family of Alidosi, which will determine the fate of the middle and upper valley of the Santerno up to half of the seventeenth century. Between 1207 and 1209, the area known as St. Ambrose of Massa and then Alidosia, was enfeoffed by the Emperor Otto IV and his brothers Alidux Malgarito.
Towards the middle of the century, just west of the capital, the Castle of Monte Rio (hence the name "Rio") was built. Probably, though, the place was already a fortress, as a document of 1179 mentioned a "Castrum streams" pertaining to the Church Imola.
The fate of this territory was marked by the alternation of conflicts between the Church and the powerful family of Alidosi, which also ruled in the 14th century the lordship of Imola. On 16 January 1638 ,its last representative, Mariano, handed over control to the Holy See, in the hands of Monsignor Terzaghi. It was part of the Papal States, and when, in 1884, was detached from the Province of Ravenna, was annexed to that of Bologna. (Cit. from "Atlas Romagnolo" - Il Resto del Carlino).
The main resource is tourism thanks to the environment of mountain type, and some interesting monuments, including the Palazzo Alisodi and the humpback shaped Alidosi Bridge (XV century). On the high slopes chestnut woods and coppice prevail. The "Marroni" of Castel del Rio are protected by an exclusive brand and their cultivation is promoted and protected by a consortium that brings together key producers. On the terraces of the river Santerno fruit cultivation (apricot, peach, plum) is spread.
From Imola bus station, ATC Public Transport Company (for information on timetables and fares visit www.atc.bo.it):
From Bologna Central Station (for information on timetables and fares visit www.trenitalia.it):
Festa dei Fiori e Sagra del Prugnolo: April 25th.
Militaria: military veichles exhibition and street market, May.
Festa del Cinghiale: Wild boar festival, June.
Feste Rinascimentali: Reminiscence of the Alidosi family, lords of Castel del Rio from the 13th to the 17th century, July.
Festa dei Commercianti: July.
Festa della Musica: August.
Sagra del Porcino: Edible boletus festival, August.
Sagra del Tartufo: Truffle festival and market, September.
Sagra del Marrone: Chestnut festival with chestnuts-made traditional dishes, every sunday in October.
Festa della Nutella: December.
Pro Loco Alidosiana
Piazza Repubblica, 96 - 40022 Castel del Rio (BO)
Tel: +39 339 7405687;
info@casteldelrioproloco.it - www.casteldelrioproloco.it
URP - Ufficio Relazioni con il Pubblico del Comune di Castel del Rio
Via Montanara 1 - 40022 Castel del Rio (BO)
Tel: +39 0542 95906; Fax: +39 0542 95313