Solarolo

Solarolo is a rural village of ancient origins, inhabited since the Bronze Age and flourishing between the Middle Ages and the Renaissance when, thanks to its strategic position, a castle was founded to guard the plains between the Via Emilia and the Senio River.

Records of the castle date back to the 10th century, but it was under the occupation of the Manfredi family that the structure was expanded and fortified. During the Second World War, the castle was almost entirely destroyed; however, some traces remain visible today during a walk through the historic center.

The Canale dei Mulini passes through Solarolo—a naturalistic itinerary across the Ravenna countryside, ideal for cycling excursions in a landscape dotted with cultural highlights.

Solarolo is the birthplace of Laura Pausini, one of the most famous Italian singers in the world. 

In the field of craftsmanship, the village is renowned for the production of Solarolo Macramé, a unique fringed lace that carries on an ancient tradition.

Walking through the center, you will encounter the remains of the city walls, which preserve their ancient structure, and the Porta del Castello, rebuilt in its original form after its destruction.

The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Health (Santuario della Beata Vergine della Salute) is an important place of worship, featuring a small museum of sacred art that preserves numerous votive tablets, typical of the Romagna devotional tradition.

Finally, the Laura Pausini Museum welcomes fans among the singer's memorabilia and numerous stage props..

Solarolo is a production center for Romagna Peaches and Nectarines PGI (Pesche e Nettarine di Romagna IGP), fruits with an intense flavor cultivated according to traditional, environmentally friendly techniques.

In Solarolo, the summer swimming center offers fun for the whole family, featuring three outdoor pools, a beach tennis court, and a relaxation area.

• In mid-January, the Sagra della Polenta, Bisò e Sabadò,a winter food festival, serves up steaming polenta, fragrant mulled wine (bisò), and sabadoni—traditional cookies filled with chestnuts, saba (grape must syrup) , and mostarda (a fruit jam).
• Between May and June, the Feast of the Ascension (Festa dell’Ascensione) takes place, originating from the devotion to the Blessed Virgin of Health, to whom numerous miracles are attributed. A large food stand satisfies every palate with the best traditional Romagna dishes, while a rich program of shows and entertainment ensures there is never a dull moment. Delegations from the twin towns of Rhêmes-Notre-Dame (Aosta Valley) and Kirchheim am Ries (Germany) often participate in this grand event, bringing their own local cuisine and typical products to Solarolo.

Following the Canale dei Mulini, you arrive at the rural village of Castel Bolognese, where you can visit the historic Mulino Scodellino.

Just a few kilometers away is Faenza, renowned for its ceramic production and a UNESCO Creative City for Crafts and Folk Art.