In Casalecchio di Reno there is the Parco della Chiusa or Parco Talòn, which is much loved by the residents of that area and by all those who like to walk in the middle of nature. It is crossed by the Sentiero dei Bregoli, a path that connects Casalecchio to the Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca and is at a distance of only a few metres from our farm. The park is called Parco della Chiusa because of a lock (“Chiusa”) in the River Reno that regulates the flow of the water: it is there since the 14th century, and thanks to its presence the silk industry grew and flourished in Bologna for centuries.

If you wish to find out about the history of the Chiusa, we advise you to watch this instalment of the Superquark programme “Bologna, città sull’acqua”.
The Parco della Chiusa is slightly more than 2 km from the Antico Podere San Luca (about 10 minutes by car or motorbike, or 30 on foot).

The Parco Cavaioni (from the Bolognese cavajàn, i.e. sheaf) is on the hills beyond Casalecchio di Reno, and perhaps is one of the most extensive parks of the city: it has many meadows, woods and fields under crop. Further on, almost at the boundary with Sasso Marconi, there is the Parco dei Calanchi di Sabbiuno, between the rivers Reno and Savena. The Via di Sabbiuno that crosses it follows a very old road that used to lead to Tuscany. Here you can admire the typical calanchi (ravines) of our hills.
These places are 5 km from the Antico Podere San Luca (approximately 10 minutes by car  or motorbike, or one hour on foot).

Further on, you reach the Parco dei Prati di Mugnano, a stopping place that is much loved by hikers on the Via degli Dei. Following the road to Marzabotto, between the valley of the River Reno and that of the River Setta, you reach the Parco storico di Monte Sole, which is famous above all because of the massacre of the autumn of 1944, when the Nazis slaughtered hundreds of people living in these mountains. The area was probably already inhabited by man in the Neolithic Age, and if you are interested in archaeology we advise you to visit the Museo Nazionale Etrusco Pompeo Aria and the archaeological area of Kainua, on the Via Porrettana, in Marzabotto, where you will be able to walk on the still-visible streets of the ancient Etruscan city called “Città Nuova” (New City, that is Kainua, from the Greek word kainòs/kainòn, which means “new”) and necropolis. The Parco di Monte Sole and the Museum are about 30 km from the Antico Podere San Luca (more or less 30 to 40 minutes by car or motorbike, depending on the traffic).

Near San Lazzaro di Savena, there is the greatest karstic park in Emilia Romagna, the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa, where you can walk among the dolines, plateaux and crags, and put your name down for a speleological excursion in the Grotta (cave) della Spipola. In the website of the Ente di Gestione per i Parchi e Biodiversità of Eastern Emilia, you will find all the information you need for organising a visit to the Park, which is 18 km from the Antico Podere San Luca (about 40 minutes by car or motorbike).

Do you want to learn more about the parks inside and outside the city?

In the Bologna Welcome website, you will find a list of the green areas, a map for finding them, and all the information you need to get there.

On the hills of Ceretolo, a hamlet near Casalecchio di Reno, right in front of the Colle della Guardia, there is the Eremo di Tizzano, built by the Camaldolite monks from 1665 onwards. The view here is breathtaking: your gaze embraces the valley of the River Reno, including the Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca, and, on very clear days, also reaches Monte Mario and Badolo, in the direction of Marzabotto.

The Eremo di Tizzano is 6 km from the Antico Podere San Luca (about 20 minutes by car or motorbike).

Would you like to know which are the most important religious buildings in the city?

In the Bologna Welcome website, you will find a list of all the places of worship in the centre and outskirts of Bologna.