Stage 9

San Benedetto Po-Concordia

Leaving the Basilica, we quickly enter the Po Valley countryside: here we are right in the middle of the Alps and the Apennines. The landscape is characterized by large agricultural expenses, dotted with large farms on the model made famous by Bertolucci’s film “Novecento” and the “Atmosfere Bacchelliane” so well evoked by his famous “Mulino del Po”. Along the route we encounter Quistello, which has several interesting monuments, some still with signs of the earthquake of a few years ago; it is appropriate to stop for refreshments and possible purchases of food and drinks. We will then finally stop at Concordia, where also stopped the monk Martin Luther on his journey from Germany to Rome in the year 1511, a guest of the convent opened by the Augustinian friars in 1420.

Download file: viarg09.gpx

Alternative route: West Emilia Route

Concordia is the first municipality we encounter in Emilia, specifically in the province of Modena, which we will cross entirely in a north-south direction, crossing very different landscapes: from the plain, to the hills, to the challenging mountains of the Apennines. To better appreciate this land, we propose to hikers and cyclists two possible routes: an eastern one that from the river Secchia passes to the Naviglio, along whose banks we can reach Modena, Maranello – by means of another river, the Tiepido –, and the Apennines. The other route leaves the river Secchia at Rovereto, just south of Concordia, and re-enters it further upstream, after  Campogalliano,  touches some towns important both in history and as of now, to climb the first hills and rejoin the other route at Pavullo.