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Zola Predosa
Province:
Bologna (12 km)
Altitude: 200-400 mt. a.m.s.l
Tourist Area
Where it is
Zola Predosa is about 12 kilometres from the centre of Bologna. It lies between high plains and gentle hills along the River Lavino. The territory of Zola Predosa is at the junction between main local as well as national lines of communication that make it the main access to the Samoggia Valley.
Why visit
Historical villas, art and oenogastronomy are the greatest strenghts of Zola Predosa. Here you can visit villas dating back to the 16th and 17th century, museums of modern art as well as tasting delicious dishes of Emilian tradition accompanied by good-quality wines. Zola Predosa is strategically sited, so it is an unavoidable stopping place for business travellers, tourists and anyone who is keen on art and motors as well.
Where to visit and what to see
Among historical villas surrounded by gardens and parks, Palazzo Albergati stands out from the others by its magnificence: the simplicity and compactness of the façade hides the splendour of the interiors, which make this elegant 17th-century residence one of the best examples of Baroque architecture in Italy. The gallery of the main hall was used as a theatre in the 18th century for performances of works by Voltaire and Goldoni and was visited by European leading personalities in the cultural, political field, including Frederick IV of Denmark, Giacomo Casanova and Vittorio Alfieri.Along Via Masini stands Villa Edvige Garagnani, that houses the “Centro Studi Ville Bolognesi” as well as the Tourist Office. Built in the second half of the 18th century, the villa is a beautiful example of a bourgeois holiday residence with beautiful woodland frescoes attributed to the Basoli inside.
There are other historical villas to see along the River Lavino such as Palazzo Bentivoglio Pepoli, Villa Magnani Guidotti and Villa Zanchini.
Room with a view
The apartments of the Museum of Modern Art Cà La Ghironda are the best choice for a short or long stay in Zola Predosa: the museum is in the middle of a ten-hectare park with an extraordinary variety of plants and works of art.
Don't miss
The Museum of Ca’ La Ghironda is also worth a visit: works of modern art by famous artists including Capogrossi, De Chirico, Fontana, Depero, Morandi, Picasso and Chagall are kept here.
Nature and works of art blend together in the park surrounding the villa, where more than 200 sculptures by Italian and foreign artists (Manzù, Cascella, Ghermandi, Yasuda, Benetton, Monari and Stahler) are arranged in an original way.
Nature and works of art blend together in the park surrounding the villa, where more than 200 sculptures by Italian and foreign artists (Manzù, Cascella, Ghermandi, Yasuda, Benetton, Monari and Stahler) are arranged in an original way.
On the table
Mortadella di Bologna (PGI) is the most representative product: the world's leading manufacturers of mortadella have their headquarters here. Other specialities are homemade pasta, tigelle, borlenghi, porchetta, sughi d'uva, saba (traditional cooked must), torta zolese, raviole di San Nicolò and torta di riso. The Pignoletto and other good-quality wines go well with these specialities making Zola a member of the National Association of “Wine Cities” as well as an unavoidable stopping place along the Wine and Flavours Route “Cities, Castles and Cherries”.
For fun
There are lots of sport facilities in Zola Predosa where people of any age can play a wide range of sporting activities. The PalaZola is a good example of multi-purpose sport facility which also comprises indoor, outdoor swimming pools.
Main events
Zola's wine cellars become open-air theatres on the occasion of the Zola Jazz&Wine Festival in spring and summer. A rediscovery of typical flavours and tradition takes place around mid-July with the Fira d'Zola (Zola Fair). Mortadella, Please is an international festival completely dedicated to the most famous cured meat of Bologna “the fat one”.
Nearby
The Sentiero dei Gessaroli (Gessaroli Path) leads off Gesso (2 kms far from Zola) as far as old chalk quarries. Lots of nature walks go through chestnut, oak wood and old chalk quarries allowing people to see some animals like deer, roe deer, fallow deer, wild boars, hares, pheasants, foxes and hawks.
For more information
Local Staff: Pianura Bolognese
Information Offices
ZOLA PREDOSA
Via Masini, 11
Villa Edvige Garagnani
40069 Zola Predosa (BO)
Tel. ++39 051-752472
Fax ++39 051-752838
info@iatzola.it
Opening: Open troughout the year
More about services and schedule of the info centres in the Local website
How to reach
Extra-urban line 
From the A1 motorway, take the exit Casalecchio di Reno and drive straight ahead along the S.P. 569 (Via Nuova Bazzanese) in the direction of Bazzano-Vignola-Maranello, exit Zola centro.
Last update: 04/04/2013
