San Pietro In Casale: Historic Centre, Culture and Cycling Routes

San Pietro In Casale combines a historic townscape with churches and buildings from different centuries, set in a landscape shaped by water. You can plan your trip around different interests: the historic centre and cultural history, cycling routes or scenery. If you are looking for a hotel, these themes can help you choose the focus of your stay.

Historic Centre and Architecture

The historic centre is characterised by Bolognese arcades and elegant historic buildings. The 19th-century Church of Saints Peter and Paul stands in the main square. Its Romanesque bell tower recalls the building’s medieval origins.

The Palazzo Calderini in Rubizzano is a 16th-century building with high-quality frescoes from the Carracci school. The Church of San Giacomo Maggiore in Poggetto has an altarpiece from the school of Guido Reni; Sant’Andrea in Maccaretolo dates back to the 14th century. Ca’ Gioiosa is a 16th-century building constructed for the staff of the water supply network, and it housed a mill in the 18th century. Taken together, the architectural history spans origins in the 14th century, buildings from the 16th century and the 18th-century mill, through to the 19th-century church in the main square.

The cultural park of San Pietro In Casale includes a spacious park planted with roses.

Landscape and Routes

East of the main town, the landscape reflects its origins as a valley area. Expansive cultivated fields and oases reclaimed from the water make this character visible. The Canale Navile offers a different connection with water: along the section that passes through the San Pietro In Casale area, it is still possible to walk along the right-hand embankment. A walkable towpath runs beside it.

Four cycling routes start in the main town and follow paved and unpaved roads. The varying surfaces are a practical consideration when planning a ride; check current conditions before setting out, as they may change.

The Setti municipal road between Maccaretolo and Tombe may be the clearest example of Roman centuriation in the area. The term refers to the Roman surveying and division of land.

Local History and Events

The Casone del Partigiano brings together a landscape and a historical landmark. The area includes a large wetland surrounded by poplar and willow trees. During the Second World War, the Casone served as a base for the 2nd Partisan Brigade “Paolo”. The brigade organised the uprising of 22 April 1945. Visits to the Casone are by request only.

The San Pietro In Casale Carnival has been a lively tradition since 1871 and celebrates the local masked character Re Sandron Spaviron each year. In November, the Sagra del Bollito offers the chance to try a traditional main course from Bolognese cuisine. If you are planning your trip around an event, check the current date in advance.

Getting There

A regional train from Bologna’s main railway station towards Venezia Santa Lucia stops in San Pietro In Casale. As train services and stopping patterns may change, check the current timetable before travelling.

Discover more destinations: San Benedetto Val Di Sambro, Monterenzio, Fiumetto, Monghidoro, San Martino in Pedriolo, Altedo, Grizzana Morandi, Marzabotto.

Return to the main travel overview: Bologna.