Dovadola: Fortress History, Church Art and Montepaolo

Dovadola invites you on a journey through medieval military history, sacred art, pilgrimage traditions, cycling and regional cuisine. In the historic centre and along the Cammino di Assisi, which passes through the Eremo di Montepaolo, you can create a variety of themed day itineraries. The town becomes especially tangible when you view its architectural history, religious sites of remembrance and local traditions not separately, but as different facets of Dovadola.

Fortress History in the Historic Centre

Dovadola’s historic centre is defined by a fortification built by the Guidi counts around the 12th century, which the residents call “La Roccaccia”. The Rocca dei Conti Guidi dates from the 12th century and is an important example of medieval military architecture. Its keep controlled the road between Romagna and Tuscany.

Sacred Sites and Art

The Badia di Sant’Andrea was built in the 11th century on the site of an earlier abbey founded by Cluniac monks. It houses the sarcophagus containing the mortal remains of Benedetta Bianchi Porro; believers from all over Italy make pilgrimages there to pay her tribute. The Badia also preserves a valuable triptych by the Forlì painter Giacomo Zampa (1731–1808).

The Church of the Santissima Annunziata was initially founded by a local hermit from Ballistra as a sleeping place, later became a place of worship and has been run by Dominicans since 1318. Its second chapel on the left houses a valuable 14th-century wooden crucifix. The Chiesa di Sant’Andrea has a Romanesque façade and paintings from the Romagna, Umbrian-Marchigian and Bolognese schools. The Oratorio di Sant’Antonio e San Gennaro is an example of 18th-century sacred architecture.

Montepaolo, Trails and Cycling Tours

The Cammino di Assisi leads from the town of Dovadola via the Eremo di Montepaolo to Assisi. The Sentiero della speranza leads on foot to a cave near Montepaolo, which local tradition regards as the saint’s refuge for solitude and prayer. In Montepaolo, Saint Anthony of Padua lived for more than a year in the small Franciscan convent in 1121/1122.

The Passo Monte Trebbio also provides a clear focus for cycling tours: its climb is 6 kilometres long, has gradients of 10 to 12 percent and is considered a classic destination for cycling tourists. A monument to cyclists stands beside the road there.

Truffles, Crafts and Local Impressions

The 59th Fiera e Sagra del Tartufo di Dovadola was scheduled to take place on 19 and 26 October 2025 at Piazza Berlinguer in Dovadola. Volunteer Sfogline from the Pro Loco roll out several thousand egg noodles and tagliatelle by hand for the occasion; they are served with meat ragù and truffles. Another craft tradition can be found in the historic workshop of violin maker Luigi Foscolo Lombardi. His grandfather founded it in 1897, and his father subsequently continued running it.

Along the SS67 before Dovadola, the cemetery is home to remarkable monumental cypress trees. Together with the fortress, churches, trails, workshop and truffle tradition, they create a destination whose highlights you can weigh differently depending on your interests. When choosing a hotel for your stay in Dovadola, this weighting can shape your planning: culture and sacred art, Montepaolo with the Cammino di Assisi and the Sentiero della speranza, the 6-kilometre mountain pass climb or local cuisine each set their own accents.

More Destinations for Your Travel Planning

Cagnona, San Benedetto In Alpe, Premilcuore, Bagno Di Romagna, Il Monte, Santa Sofia, Fratta Terme and Castrocaro Terme

For the higher-level travel overview: Forlì-Cesena.