Fiumalbo – the most beautiful village in Emilia Romagna

Still little known at the national level, the village of Fiumalbo is one of the most beautiful medieval villages in Emilia Romagna, rich in history, culture, and activities to enjoy.

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The history of the village

A small Italian municipality of 1,171 inhabitants located in the province of Modena, Emilia Romagna, Fiumalbo boasts nearly 1,000 years of written history, although its origins are even older. Some sources report that the first inhabitants of the Fiumalbo Valley were the Liguri-Friniates, who in the 2nd century BC took refuge in the Modenese Apennines after leaving the Po Valley. This is evidenced by the sculpted heads embedded in old walls throughout the village, considered traces of Celtic warrior populations.

Equally important for the town’s development was the Bondi-Santi family, after Fiumalbo swore allegiance to the municipality of Modena in 1197.

Places of interest in Fiumalbo

Despite its small size, Fiumalbo offers numerous points of interest, including:

• The Rocca of Fiumalbo, mentioned as early as 1038, of which only one tower remains today.
• The Church and Oratory of Santa Caterina
• The Oratory of San Rocco (15th century), which preserves frescoes by Saccaccino Saccaccini.
• The Church of San Bartolomeo Apostolo, the parish church of Fiumalbo dating back to 1197, housing valuable works such as a 17th-century altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child, St. John the Baptist, and saints by Camillo Gavasetti, as well as the canvas Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew by Adeodato Malatesta.
• The Church of the Immaculate Conception, built in 1516.
• The Devil’s Bridge (Ponte del Diavolo).

Events in Fiumalbo

In addition to its many landmarks, Fiumalbo also hosts highly anticipated events, such as:

• The living nativity scene, first organized in 1958 and, since 1984, staged every two years. It recreates the Nativity on Christmas Eve of even-numbered years and again in early January, with animals and people bringing the scene to life.
• The Feast of the Patron Saint Bartholomew, on the evening of August 23, when the village is illuminated with lights, creating a magical backdrop for the procession through the streets, accompanied by the two local confraternities known as the “whites” and the “reds.”
• The art exhibition “Words on the Walls”, an avant-garde artistic event held only twice (1967 and 1968), but still regarded today as one of the most appreciated by artists worldwide.
• The Carnival torchlight procession, held on Shrove Tuesday, when volunteers parade through the village to the two streams, where a large bonfire is lit.

How to reach the village

Fiumalbo can be reached by various means of transport:

• By train: Modena station (81 km away)
• By bus: ATCM – SETA Modena intercity line
• By car: A1 motorway (Autostrada del Sole), exit Modena Nord. From there, follow the Strada Statale Nuova Estense towards Pavullo nel Frignano and continue on to Fiumalbo.

Don’t miss the wonders of this small village!