Sestola

Sestola is a municipality in the northern Apennines at about 1020 meters elevation, positioned between Bologna and Modena in Emilia-Romagna. The town sits in a mountainous area with traditional alpine buildings and is surrounded by forests and meadows.

A fortress in the town was completely rebuilt in the 16th century, transforming its original medieval form into a fortified structure. This renovation made it a controlling point over the Panaro Valley and the surrounding mountain region.

The town maintains mountain cooking traditions from the Emilia-Romagna region, where local ingredients shape what people eat and serve in their homes and restaurants. Visitors can experience these traditions through hearty dishes made with products from the surrounding land.

In winter, ski slopes are available at Monte Cimone for different skill levels, while summer brings hiking and mountain biking through the mountain landscape. Visitors can easily find starting points for outdoor activities throughout and around the area.

The town is home to an alpine botanical garden that displays rare mountain plants from the Apennines and shows their natural habitat. This garden gives visitors a way to see the plants of this elevation in one place rather than scattered across the mountainside.

Location: Province of Modena

Capital city: Sestola

Elevation above the sea: 1,020 m

Shares border with: Fanano, Fiumalbo, Lizzano in Belvedere, Montecreto, Montese, Pavullo nel Frignano, Riolunato

Website: https://comune.sestola.mo.it

GPS coordinates: 44.23333,10.76667

Latest update: December 12, 2025 03:45