This content was automatically translated. View the original text.
Overview
About an hour from Bologna, nestled in the heart of the Bolognese Apennines, Lago di Castel dell’Alpi is one of those places that surprises visitors with its history and beauty. This body of water, now beloved by hikers and families alike, was formed suddenly in February 1951, when a massive landslide detached from the left side of the valley, blocking the Savena stream—just 6 km long at that point—and creating a unique natural basin.
The event was dramatic: the original village of Castel dell’Alpi, which stood on the left bank of the stream, was completely destroyed. Almost miraculously, the church of San Biagio and its bell tower survived, now silent guardians of the place’s memory. The village was partly rebuilt on the opposite bank, overlooking the lake, which over time has become one of the most beloved summer destinations in the area.
In the surrounding area, visitors can discover small historic villages such as Picervara, Valdirosa, La Ca’, and La Fossa, stone treasures that still tell the story of traditional mountain life.
Castel dell’Alpi is also special from a geographical perspective: it is the only natural lake in the province of Bologna, while other well-known basins—Suviana, Brasimone, and Santa Maria—are all artificial.
Since 2024, the lake has offered an additional reason to visit: a “Big Bench” has been installed here, number 337 in the international Big Bench Community Project, and the first official one in the Bologna area. It’s a perfect vantage point for taking photos, enjoying the scenery, and… feeling a little like a child again.
For collectors of stamps, there is also a credential for the circuit: each “pancona” visited provides a new stamp and a new memory to add to one’s journey, including Castel dell’Alpi.
40048 San Benedetto Val di Sambro BO, Italia
