Bentivoglio is a town in the province of Bologna, situated in the plains at North of the regional capital of Emilia, along the Nevile Canal, whch carries the waters from the Rhine through the waterways lock of Casalecchio Malalbergo, towards less fertile areas, and return further South into the Rhine. Archaeological finds evidence that the earliest human settlements in area date back to the Villanova period, while the Romans started the first reclamation of wetlands.
The town's name comes from the homonymous noble Family, originally of Bologna, that built here their Summer residence for recreation and hunting.
Sites of Interest:
- The castle, built by Giovanni II Bentivoglio between 1475 and 1481, located not far from the fortress, which was built here, in 1390, by the City of Bologna for strategic purposes. Used as a dwelling for recreation and hunting, known as the "Domus Jocunditatis" features a square plan, with large windows, a sunny courtyard, cozy rooms, stables and services. The characters are those of a typical Renaissance building, a country house without excessive defensive concerns, with two airy porches, hallways and rooms with colorful but at the same time simple decorations;
- Palazzo Vivaio (Plant Nursery), built by the Marquis Pizzardi in 1889 and used as residence for the several families, that could not live in the castle during the period of its restoration;
- Palazzo Rosso, a wonderful building in Art Nouveau style that overlooks the Nevile Canal;
- Villa Paleotta Villa, built by Annibale Paleotti in the late XVI century;
- Villa Smeraldi, today seat of the Museum of Rural Farming.