Parco regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa

The park stretches across 4,815 hectares of land, featuring notable gypsum outcrops, deep valleys, and clay formations known as calanchi in southeastern Bologna.

The geological formations in the park date back to the Messinian period, 6 million years ago, when the Mediterranean Sea experienced extensive evaporation processes.

The network of caves within the park contains evidence of human settlements from prehistoric times through the Roman period, including religious structures and quarries.

Visitors can access multiple marked trails connecting four municipalities: Bologna, Ozzano dell'Emilia, Pianoro, and San Lazzaro di Savena throughout the protected area.

The park contains selenite crystals, also called moon rocks, which display distinctive swallowtail shapes and emit a pearly brightness when exposed to light.

Location: Metropolitan City of Bologna

Location: Bologna

Location: Ozzano dell'Emilia

Location: Pianoro

Location: San Lazzaro di Savena

Inception: 1988

GPS coordinates: 44.43650,11.41390

Latest update: May 13, 2025 19:53