Monte Battaglia’s fortress

The Rocca is situated at the top of the watershed between the Senio and Santerno valleys, 715 m above sea level.

Throughout the late Middle Ages Monte Battaglia was the scene of struggles and fighting for control of the territory between Imola, Faenza and the ridge of the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. During World War II, after several centuries of decline, the high ground regained its role as a military nodal point; so much so that it was considered by military strategists to be a veritable “gateway” to the Po Valley. Here, between September 26 and October 11, 1944, one of the bloodiest battles of the Italian campaign was fought; the fury of the battle and the number of casualties were such that Allied war correspondents referred to Mount Battaglia as Little Cassino. Since then, Monte Battaglia became for the people of Romagna a place of remembrance and commemoration of the fallen partisans and allies.
In front of the tower stands a bronze monument commemorating the tragic episode created by Faenza sculptor Aldo Rontini.

Between 1985 and 1988, the ruins of the fortress underwent massive recovery and restoration work, preceded by archaeological excavations, among the first carried out at a medieval site. It was thus possible to unearth the layout of the walls, consolidate and “stitch up” the keep, giving it back its image as an imposing defense tower and lookout.

Monte Battaglia has been a national monument since 1931 and is located 6km from Casola Valsenio. It can be reached by following the S.P. 67 from Casola Valsenio in the direction of Fontanelice for about 6 kilometers and continue following the signs for the Rocca.