Nicknamed the “Pearl of the Apennines”, Sestola is a charming town near the 2,165-metre-high summit of Monte Cimone. It’s home to a centuries-old fortress and a garden dedicated to alpine species, as well as one of the most popular ski resorts in Emilia-Romagna.
Things to do in Sestola
Dominating Sestola’s townscape is a 16th-century fortress, which encompasses soldiers’ quarters, a commandant’s palace and the Torre dell’Orologio. It’s home to the Museum of Mechanical Musical Instruments and the Museum of Mountain Civilisation where everyday objects are exhibited. From the fortress, there are magnificent views across Sestola and the surrounding countryside.
In the heart of Sestola is San Nicola di Bari, a Roman Catholic church that was established in the 17th century on the site of an earlier Romanesque church. It houses frescoes by the Italian artist Albano Lugli and several notable religious paintings, as well as a 15th-century wooden crucifix and a pieta based on a work by Bernardino Gatti.
Green thumbs shouldn't miss a visit to the Esperia Alpine Botanical Garden, which was established in the 1950s for the study of medicinal plants. It lies within a native beech forest at the base of Monte Cimone and takes its name from the Garden of the Gods in Greek mythology. Stroll between the garden beds planted with around 200 different species of native and exotic plants, including several that are indigenous to the Monte Cimone region.
Getting around Sestola
Sestola is just over an hour’s drive from Bologna and Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Florence is around 2.5 hours away. Regular buses connect to Sestola and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting around the region.