Santa Sofia: Forest, Art and Regional Cuisine in the Bidente Valley

Santa Sofia between the Bidente Valley and the Forest

Santa Sofia lies in the Bidente Valley, in the heart of the Parco delle Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona e Campigna. The destination therefore combines a strong focus on nature with trails, public art and a regional speciality. When planning your trip, you can thus combine different interests without losing sight of the character of the place.

Hiking Loops and Nature Experiences

The “Da rifugio a rifugio” project includes Loop 2, a three-day hike across ridges, beech forests and unspoilt landscapes. The project combines three-day hiking loops with two overnight stays between hikers’ accommodation facilities.

The Sentiero Natura Campigna runs through the Fosso Abetio, an old reforestation area with silver firs. At the Museo della Fauna e dei Sensi, an educational workshop complements the nature themes with games and environmental education activities. Thus, the destination’s thematic offering includes both observing forest landscapes and engaging playfully with the environment and fauna.

Forest at the Centro Visita

The central theme of the Centro Visita di Santa Sofia is the forest. The facilities include the educational installation “L’Armadio dei Suoni e dei Segni” and a floor for temporary exhibitions. The two areas focus on different aspects: here, the forest is presented through an educational installation and changing exhibitions, while the trails and nature stations place the landscape itself at the forefront.

Art Along the Bidente

The Parco di sculture all’aperto, the open-air sculpture park, runs from the centre of Santa Sofia through the riverbed of the Bidente to Capaccio. The artistic route begins in the historic centre and continues along the riverside park beside the Bidente. One of the defining works is “Santa Sofia ’93” by Mauro Staccioli. It was created in 1993 for the 37th edition of the Premio Campigna and is the first work in the sculpture park.

The Parco di sculture all’aperto was established in 1993. The Premio Campigna is an annual event for local and national contemporary art, held during the autumn months. The exhibition presents works by artists who have taken part in the Premio Campigna. The collection also includes works by Mattia Moreni, including large-scale paintings with five self-portraits by the artist, which are on permanent display.

Speciality and Events

Local cuisine includes Tortello alla lastra, filled with pumpkin and potatoes. It is a typical speciality of the upper Bidente Valley and is celebrated every year at the end of September at a festival of the same name. The “Di strada in strada” festival adds a different cultural dimension. It takes place at Ferragosto and features street performances by artists from around the world.

Protected Nature with Clear Boundaries

The strictly protected Sasso Fratino Integral Nature Reserve covers almost 800 hectares. Access is restricted to demonstrably justified study purposes. This clear access restriction should be taken into account when planning your trip. Depending on your focus, you can therefore choose accommodation for a stay centred on hiking, art or regional cuisine.

More Destinations

If you would like to expand your travel plans: Bertinoro, Selva-Ansaldo, Santa Maria Nuova, Campigna, Montecchio, Gatteo-Sant'angelo, Balze, San Benedetto In Alpe.

For the overview of the wider travel area: Forlì-Cesena.