Fontana: Borgo, Palazzo Sanuti and the Mastelletta Route

Fontana is a borgo beyond the cliff, in the direction of Marzabotto. Palazzo Sanuti, the fountain in its courtyard, and the historic routes offer different ways to explore the area’s history. There are also traces of frescoes in varying states of preservation, abundant greenery, and a former tradition of stopping to rest. Together, these elements place Fontana in the context of architectural history, art, landscape, and travel routes.

Palazzo Sanuti: Architectural history, fountain, and frescoes

Palazzo Sanuti was built in the mid-15th century. Nicolò Sanuti had it constructed as a country residence for his family. The fountain in the courtyard explains the name Fontana: the place takes its name from it. Spring water was also drawn from this fountain. The building, the place name, and the former use of the water come together here in a tangible way.

Traces of a fresco depicting Sanuti and his second wife, Nicolosia Castellani, can still be seen in the palazzo. Opposite the entrance to the palazzo, an oratory stands among a row of houses along the road. Its façade once featured a fresco of Saint Anthony the Abbot in the lunette area; no trace of it remains. The two examples therefore differ in their state of preservation: traces of the fresco remain at the palazzo, but not at the oratory.

Historic routes and the Mastelletta Route

Historic road alignments also help to situate Fontana. The ancient Saragozza road, now Via Porrettana, passed along the cliff, descended via Via Gasparri to the river, and then climbed back uphill through Fontana. The sequence of descending to the river and climbing back through Fontana makes the historic route easy to picture.

The Mastelletta Route offers a different perspective: it connects the center of Sasso Marconi with Borgo Fontana and runs along the Reno. Palazzo Sanuti is one of the stops on this route. The walk is associated with the Baroque painter Giovanni Andrea Donducci, known as Mastelletta. The connection relates to the landscapes and context of the route. This brings together the route itself and its art-historical context.

The two routes appeal to different interests: Saragozza describes a historic road through Fontana, while the Mastelletta Route connects Sasso Marconi, Borgo Fontana, and the Reno with a link to art history.

Landscape and travel history

The landscape offers a different emphasis from local history: greenery predominates in Fontana, partly shaped by trees introduced from distant regions. This landscape character complements the connections to Palazzo Sanuti and the historic routes.

The Osteria alla Fontana is also part of the area’s travel history. It was a resting place for travelers heading up the valley from Bologna. Unlike the description of the roads, which records a route, this function as a stopping place offers another perspective on traveling: people paused on their way into the valley.

Discover more destinations

San Benedetto Val Di Sambro, Fiumetto, Mordano, Monghidoro, San Lazzaro Di Savena, Castenaso, Baricella, Castel Di Casio

For the broader travel overview: Bologna.