Habitats and Water Management in San Giovanni in Persiceto

A loop cycling route starting and ending in San Giovanni in Persiceto offers an extraordinary experience in the heart of the Bologna plain. Ideal for lovers of cycling tourism, gravel biking, and e-bikes, this flat route stretches for about 28.5 kilometers with negligible elevation gain, taking about 2.5 hours to complete (excluding stops), and lends itself beautifully to intermodal travel thanks to its direct connection to the regional rail network.

The cycling adventure begins at the San Giovanni in Persiceto train station, a lively town known for its Borgo Rotondo—an ancient medieval settlement of Lombard origin characterized by an unusual and fascinating circular urban layout. Not far away lies the colorful Piazzetta Betlemme, famous for the trompe-l’œil murals created by Hollywood set designer Gino Pellegrini, which have transformed the building facades into true open-air works of art. Upon reaching Piazza del Popolo, you can admire the Collegiate Church of San Giovanni Battista —home to artistic masterpieces by Guercino, Albani, and Gandolfi.

Leaving the town behind, the route heads into the Bolognese countryside along low-traffic secondary roads and bike and pedestrian paths, until it reaches the Tivoli-Manzolino site, a natural area characterized by extensive wetlands and canals that provide the perfect habitat for numerous bird species. Continuing on, you’ll reach the majestic Samoggia River Flood Control Reservoir, a hydraulic infrastructure crucial for the region’s safety and flood control.

From here, the route passes through the hamlet of Le Budrie, home to the Sanctuary of Santa Clelia Barbieri. The complex is an important pilgrimage site that preserves the memory of a life dedicated to the most vulnerable and to the rural communities of the plain. Not far away stands Palazzo Caprara—now Villa Orsi-Mangelli—built in the 16th century by the powerful senatorial Caprara family.

After briefly joining the Ciclovia del Sole (Sun Route) bike path, the route finally heads toward the Area di Riequilibrio ecologico La Bora, one of the region’s most exemplary projects in environmental restoration. Within the area lies the Persiceto Reptile and Amphibian Center, a national center of excellence for the study and conservation of native species.

A final, easy stretch of bike path leads back to the San Giovanni in Persiceto train station, the endpoint of a perfect loop that weaves together art, devotion, and biodiversity.