Discover Nonantola: Abbey, History and Nature

Nonantola combines an impressive abbey history with museums, regional cuisine and a diverse landscape of forests, wetlands and canals. Anyone planning a trip and wishing to combine culture, nature and distinctive local traditions will find various ways to shape their days here. When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether historical discoveries, cycling tours, nature observation or culinary experiences should be the focus.

Abbey and Medieval History

The historical centre of the town’s history is the Abbey of Nonantola. It was founded in 752, after Astolfo gave his brother-in-law Anselm the land referred to as “locum Nonantulae”. The Abbey of San Silvestro di Nonantola is considered an important and representative example of Romanesque architecture in the Po Valley. For travellers interested in cultural history, it is worth considering the development of this place not only through a single building, but also by including the various evidence of religion, administration and defence.

The Benedictine and Diocesan Museum houses the abbey treasury, illuminated codices and particularly well-known parchments from the abbey archives. The museum also displays two rare samite fabrics found in the abbey in 2002. The Museo di Nonantola in the Torre dei Bolognesi offers another approach to the town’s history: its presentation extends across four floors, from the present day back to prehistoric times. The Torre dei Bolognesi also retains visible evidence of its former functions as a defensive structure. The Torre dei Modenesi was built in 1261 and, together with the Torre dei Bolognesi, formed an essential part of Nonantola’s medieval defence system.

Places of Remembrance and Local Traditions

The history of the 20th century is also present in Nonantola. Between 1942 and 1943, Villa Emma accommodated 73 Jewish refugee children. The exhibition there reconstructs the flight of 73 Jewish young people and their companions through a Europe shaped by war and persecution. Photographs, documents and objects give this subject a tangible form. The Pieve di San Michele Arcangelo was built between 870 and 887 outside the walls of Nonantola for the rural population, adding another perspective on the town’s former surroundings to the historical sites.

The Partecipanza Agraria di Nonantola traces its origins back to the charter of Abbot Gotescalco from 1058. In the Sala dei Giuristi, a permanent exhibition tells the story of this institution from the Middle Ages to the present day. For families, this alternation between buildings, exhibitions and narrated ways of life can be particularly interesting, as Nonantola’s past can be explored from different perspectives without all the impressions of the trip revolving around the same subject.

Balsamic Vinegar and the Torrazzuolo Natural Area

The production of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is also part of the local identity. In Nonantola, it is a deeply rooted family tradition. More than 50 years ago, at least 20 families from the town took part with their products in the Palio di San Giovanni in Spilamberto, which was established in 1967. The educational and certified acetaia of the Partecipanza Agraria is open to visitors and offers tastings of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena. This provides an enjoyable complement to the historical sightseeing.

Anyone looking for quieter nature experiences can include the Torrazzuolo ecological oasis in their plans. It comprises forests, wetlands, hedgerows and a dense network of canals. The wetlands are freely accessible provided the rules of conduct are observed; a wildlife observation point at the Barchessa della Pantera is also accessible to people with reduced mobility. This allows you to vary your itinerary between cultural activities and nature observation without reducing Nonantola’s landscape to a single activity.

Exploring by Bicycle

The Via Romea Nonantolana cycle route begins in front of the abbey in Nonantola. After the start, it runs along the Canal Torbido for approximately 1.5 kilometres. This precise distance helps you assess whether a cycling tour should have the desired place in your daily itinerary. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home as a base for varied days away can therefore experience Nonantola through both its cultural monuments and the combination of cycle route and landscape.

An additional event of contemporary historical significance was Nonantola’s 31st Agriculture and Livestock Fair, which took place from 25 to 27 July 2026. The programme included demonstrations of traditional crafts, typical products, a farmers’ market, street food and open museums. For your travel decision, the main question therefore remains which combination you prefer: abbey history and collections, balsamic vinegar and regional products, nature observation or active exploration by bicycle.

Discover More Town Pages

You can find more town pages here: Pavullo Nel Frignano, Novi di Modena, Modena, Querciagrossa, Colombaro, Riolunato, Rovereto sul Secchia, Carpi.

To the higher-level travel overview: Modena.