Monghidoro
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| Comune di Monghidoro | |
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 Municipal coat of arms |
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| Country |  Italy |
| Region | Emilia-Romagna |
| Province | Bologna (BO) |
| Mayor | Marino Lorenzini
website = [1] |
| Elevation | 841 m (2,759 ft) |
| Area | 48.2 km² (19 sq mi) |
| Population (as of Dec. 2004) | |
| - Total | 3,905 |
| - Density | 81/km² (210/sq mi) |
| Time zone | CET, UTC+1 |
| Coordinates | |
| Gentilic | Monghidoresi |
| Dialing code | 051 |
| Postal code | 40063 |
| Frazioni | see list |
Monghidoro is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Bologna in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 30 km south of Bologna. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 3,905 and an area of 48.2 km².[1]
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[edit] Geography
The territory of Monghidoro borders the following municipalities: Firenzuola, Loiano, Monterenzio, Monzuno, San Benedetto Val di Sambro.
The main town sits on a ridge of the Appennines, between two river valleys, Savena and Idige. The main fareway, joining Bologna to Florence, is the SS65. Traces of a roman road, joining Florentia with Bononia can still be found at the very top of Mount Oggioli.
The territory surronding the Commune is, for the largest part, mountainous with elevations ranging between a minimum of 400 meters above sea level to the north-east to a maximum of 1,290 meters above sea level on its souther flank.
[edit] History
The origin of Monghidoro, at least as far as the origin of its name, is thought to be dating back to the times the Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Longobards, who were pillaging and looting at will up and down the Italian "boot" around the 8th, 9th century BC. It is believed that a Gothic settlement lasted long enough to give its name to the locality of Mons Gothorum (Goths' Mountain), but another theory links the name to "Mungi d'oro" (Golden Milking, in Italian), perhaps connected to the many green pastures that abound in the surrounding area, being the other popular example. The town originated in 1264 when the comune of Bologna created a vanguard here to counter the expansion of the Republic of Florence. Here in 1528 was also built an important monastery of the Olivetans.
Throughout the early to mid 20th century, following a national trend, the town witnessed a slow decline with large parts of Monghidoro's inhabitants either moving to larger cities or emigrating abroad, looking for work or a better way of life, reaching an all time low, in 1978, of only 2,450 people (against the 6,000 of the previous century). It has recently grown back to some 3,800, due, mainly, to people returning to spend their retirement in thair native surrondings, elderly people wanting a quiter way of life away from the hustle and bustle of city life or foreign immigrants looking for a cheaper alternative to living in the city.
[edit] Main sights
- Chiostro della Cisterna, the only remains of the Olivetans monastery.
- L'Alpe, a naturalistic area on the border with Tuscany
- Public park in the frazione La Martina (430-770 m).
[edit] Economy
A number of mills used to provide an important source of income to the local area: an activity which lasted well into the 1950s was connected to the natural resources afforded by the proximity of the two rivers. Few mills survive to this day; few have been carefully restored to a workable condition, allowing a suggestive insight into a bygone way of life, but, as this is often the case, the vast majority were converted to residential homes and little was done to protect and preserve any resemblance or character of their former "life".
Today's local economy is largely based on commerce with tourism being common in the summer months; this is augmented by the the very scenic Highway 65 throughfare, between Bologna and Florence, which attracts many foreign visitors. There are some small industrial activities, mainly of an artisan nature (carpenters, builders, blacksmiths). Agriculture, pastoral and raising of livestock is also present, although, due to the nature of the territory, this is a minor occupation. A large proportion of the workforce commutes daily to areas where industry is prevalent.
[edit] Frazioni
Ca' dei Brescandoli, Ca' del Costa, Ca' di Fiore, Ca' di Francia, Ca' del Gappa, Ca' dei Marchi, Ca' di Pallerino, Campeggio, Ceragne, Frassineta, La Ca', La Costa, La Fossa, La Lastra, La Martina, La Piazza, Lamazze di Qua, Madonna dei Boschi, Malalbergo, Molino della Pergola, Pallerano, Pergoloso, Piamaggio, Pian dei Grilli, Sant'Andrea di Savena, Sumbilla, Vasellara Bassa, Vergiano, Villa di Mezzo
[edit] Demographic evolution
[edit] Famous citizens
- Armaciotto de' Ramazzotti [[2]]
- Gianni Morandi
- Giordano Berti
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