Discover Pergola: churches, art and trails

Pergola combines church and art history with trails through woodland and hilly landscapes. If you choose Pergola as your destination, deciding what interests you most can help you plan: are you especially interested in the history of the churches, the landscape or the regional wine route? When looking for a hotel in Pergola, you can use these themes to help plan your stay. The following sections distinguish between historic places, trail routes and landscapes.

Churches, art and traces of history

The Chiesa Santi Giovanni Battista e Andrea in Pergola is first documented in 1291; the present-day church dates from 1899. The dates refer to different points in its history: 1291 is the first documented mention of the church, while 1899 refers to the present-day building. Paintings and furnishings that were formerly in the church are kept at the Pinacoteca comunale and the Diocesan Museum of Faenza. This helps distinguish the history of the church building from the current location of its former furnishings.

A separate connection to art is the Pala di Pergola, which was deposited at the Pinacoteca Comunale di Faenza in 1891. The former Fortilizio di Pergola belongs to a different chapter in the history of the area. It was located at the junction of Via Pergola and Via Rio Biscia in Castellaro and belonged to both the Comune di Faenza and the Monastero di S. Apollinare in Classe di Ravenna. Its connection to Castellaro and its two historical owners give the Fortilizio a distinct point of reference alongside the church history.

Landscape and trails around Pergola

During an excursion in 2019, the Chiesa di Pergola was described as being set amid nature in a scenic location. In 2025, a hike organised by Pro Loco Faenza went from Via Rio Biscia to the church of Pergola. The route passed through a quiet wood of oaks and chestnut trees. Along the way, natural vegetation gave way to olive groves and small plantings of aromatic herbs. The approach to the church followed unpaved ground and woodland trails, with sections that may be uneven. If you are planning a route, check the current trail conditions in advance.

A trail also connects Castel Raniero, the scenic Olmatello area, known for its badlands, Pergola and Pideura. It is used by runners, walkers and cyclists and offers viewpoints. Another route description concerns the Solarolo–Quartolo stage of the Viae Misericordiae: after a junction that climbs uphill, it passes the local cemetery and leads to the Chiesa di S. Giovanni Battista e Andrea di Pergola. The routes described differ considerably: the 2025 hike has a named starting point at Via Rio Biscia and the church as its destination; the Viae Misericordiae stage is marked by the uphill junction and the cemetery, while the trail through Olmatello connects several places and viewpoints.

The wine route as a regional perspective

The Strada del Sangiovese e dei sapori delle Colline di Faenza runs from Faenza to the local DOC vineyards along the Lamone Valley, then continues through the Senio Valley. It passes through Pergola and Tebano and reaches Castel Bolognese. The focus here is not a single place, but a named route through several places and valleys. The route therefore offers a different perspective on Pergola from the trails that lead to the church or explore the landscape around Olmatello. If you are planning to travel along the route, check the current route and road and trail conditions.

For a broader travel overview: Castel Raniero.