FOIATONDA

For a resilient future in the mountains of Emilia.

ENHANCING AND PRESERVING THE APENNINES

The community cooperative Foiatonda promotes the mountainous areas of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines by developing enhancement projects together with the communities and local businesses. It operates mainly in three areas: community and resilience, tourism and promotion, environmental protection and preservation.

To combat depopulation, Foiatonda supports communities by highlighting their hidden treasures — from the unique characteristics of the places to the talents of the people — developing initiatives aimed at rebuilding the economic and social fabric. It acts as a guardian of cultural and environmental heritage, traditions, and knowledge, promoting the authentic discovery of the mountains by enhancing the natural, historical, artisanal, and food and wine resources of the area through the marketing of experiences and guided tours. All activities and projects are bound by a strong ethical responsibility, aiming for sustainable territorial development, respecting the natural environment. Foiatonda, a sentinel of the Apennines that is continuously growing, cooperates with internal resources while remaining inclusive and always open to new collaborations. Founded in 2018 by 13 members, it now comprises 40 entities spread across the territory and is the only community cooperative in the Metropolitan City of Bologna.

Our

HOSPITALITY

Hospitality is the art of welcoming with warmth and care, creating an environment where every guest feels at ease. It is made up of small gestures, sincere attentiveness, and an atmosphere that conveys well-being. Whether it is a gathering of friends, a stay in a hotel, or a gourmet experience, hospitality transforms every moment into a special memory.

Historical Overview

MADONNA DEI FORNELLI

Madonna dei Fornelli is located at 798 metres above sea level in the Municipality of San Benedetto Val di Sambro (BO) between the cities of Bologna and Florence. The area, rich in traditions, is a sought-after destination for summer holidays thanks to its picturesque landscapes and pleasant climate.

The village, although it began to form only from the end of the nineteenth century, certainly had historical importance in the past. Indeed, the ancient route of the Flaminia Militare, the Roman Road commissioned by Consul Flaminius in 187 BC, ran through these lands. This important road axis connected Bologna with the city of Arezzo. The route ascended from nearby Monzuno, passed through Monte Venere, Cedrecchia, Madonna dei Fornelli, then continued over Monte Bastione and into Tuscany. One of the main streets in Madonna dei Fornelli is still widely known as Via Romana Antica, testifying to the local presence of this strategic thoroughfare.

Today, numerous trekking and mountain biking enthusiasts explore a piece of history and fully experience the beauty of these places by travelling along what has become one of the territory’s main tourist attractions: the Via Degli Dei. The route was devised at the end of the 1990s by a group of hikers from Bologna and retraces about 65% of the Flaminia Militare’s path. This trail, which connects Bologna to Florence, is so named because it crosses the peaks of the ridge on the Emilian side, whose names recall pagan deities: Monte Adone, Monte Venere and Monte Luario.