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About an hour from Bologna, nestled in the authentic heart of the Bolognese Apennines, you'll find Lake Castel dell'Alpi. It's one of those places that surprises with its history and beauty. This body of water, now beloved by hikers and families, was formed suddenly in February 1951, when a large landslide broke away from the left side of the valley, blocking the Savena river - here just 6 km long - and creating a unique natural reservoir.
It was a dramatic event, as the original village of Castel dell'Alpi, which stood on the left bank of the river, was completely destroyed. The church of St Blaise and its bell tower, now silent guardians of the memory of this place, have almost miraculously withstood the test of time. The village was partly rebuilt on the opposite bank, overlooking the lake, which over time has become one of the most popular summer destinations in the area.
In the surrounding area, you can discover small historic villages such as Picervara, Valdirosa, La Ca' and La Fossa, stone-built treasures that still tell the story of mountain life in the past.
Castel dell'Alpi is also a special place from a geographical point of view. It is the only natural body of water in the province of Bologna, as the other well-known lakes - Suviana, Brasimone and Santa Maria - are all artificial.
Since 2024, there has been one more reason to visit the lake. It's home to "Big Bench", the giant bench number 337 installed on the international Big Bench Community Project circuit, and the first official one in the Bologna area. This is the perfect vantage point to take photos, enjoy the scenery and ... feel a little like a child.
For stamp collectors, there is also the circuit credential: each "pancona" visited gives you a new stamp and a new memory to add to your trip, including Castel dell'Alpi.
40048 San Benedetto Val di Sambro BO, Italy
