Description
Today, the Way of the Gods has become one of the main tourist attractions in the Apennines. For at least four centuries (7th-4th centuries BC), the Etruscans travelled along an ancient road linking Fiesole with Felsina, in order to develop their trade and promote their domination of the Po Valley. Later the Romans, having founded the colony of Bononia in 189 B.C. on the remains of ancient Felsina, felt the need to ensure a connection with Arezzo and Rome across the Apennines: on the previous Etruscan route they built, in 187 B.C. with the consul Caius Flaminius, a real Roman road across the Apennines called Flaminia Militare.
Even in the Middle Ages, the habit of travelling on foot or horseback along this ancient route, the easiest to cross this stretch of the Apennines, was not lost.
Why the Way of the Gods? The route touches places such as Monte Adone, Monzuno (Mons Iovis, Mount of Jupiter), Monte Venere, Monte Luario (Lua, Roman goddess of expiation), which refer to the ancient gods worshipped by Celtic-Roman civilisations.
The route starts from Piazza Maggiore in the centre of Bologna, crosses the Apennine bridge from north to south and ends in Piazza della Signoria in Florence. We propose our version adapted for e-bike use, partially modified to better appreciate this adventure and guarantee you lots of fun.
We have divided the route into 3 stages:
1. Bologna – Monzuno
2. Monzuno – San Piero a Sieve
3. San Piero a Sieve – Firenze
Places of interest: Piazza Maggiore in Bologna, Arco del Meloncello, the Casalecchio weir, Oasi di San Gherardo, the Vizzano bridge, Monte Adone, the Pliocene buttress, Brento, Monzuno, Monte Venere, Madonna dei Fornelli, the ancient Flaminia Militare road, Passo della Futa and the Italian German cemetery, Monte Gazzaro, the Osteria Bruciata pass, San Piero a Sieve, the Trebbo castle, Badia Buonsollazzo, the Montesernario convent, Vetta le Croci, Poggio Pratone, Fiesole, Piazza della Signoria in Florence.
Note: the route, distance and height difference may be subject to changes depending on the guide’s assessment of the weather conditions, the state of the terrain, the technical skills and physical condition of the participants, in order to always guarantee the enjoyment of the group in total safety.
