The medieval clash between the rival cities of Modena and Bologna at Zappolino remains a defining historical marker for this area. Today, that former battlefield falls within Valsamoggia, an administrative entity created on January 1, 2014, by merging five communes including Castello di Serravalle and Crespellano. Counting 29,427 residents, it ranks as Italy’s second most populous merged municipality.
The town hall operates out of Bazzano, an ironic detail given that local voters there—and in Savigno—actually opposed the 2012 merger referendum, which passed with a 51.5% majority. Beyond its unique civic history, the sprawling district is recognized as the birthplace of Italian painters Alessandro Scorzoni and Antonino Sartini.
Near Valsamoggia
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
