Parco della Montagnola (Montagnola Park), Bologna

Montagnola stands as the city's oldest garden, cherished as a favored spot for leisurely strolls and as a picturesque setting for a myriad of events, games, and sports activities throughout the ages. Since 1662, this raised plateau, once designated for waste disposal during medieval times, has welcomed the public. Initially featuring vegetable patches and mulberry groves, it gradually transformed to include spacious pathways and a central square for visitors' enjoyment.

The garden's present layout, dating back to the early 1800s, was conceived under the direction of G. B. Martinetti, influenced by the geometric patterns found in French gardens, at the insistence of Napoleon. In 1896, the Montagnola was further embellished with a grand monumental staircase, offering views of the old gate and the remnants of the ancient Galliera fortress. Following this, a circular basin, adorned with sculptural works by Diego Sarti, originally commissioned for the Margherita Gardens during the Emiliana Exposition of 1888, was installed at the garden's heart.

Among the lush greenery of this 6-hectare expanse, the majestic canopies of several monumental plane trees, dating back to the Napoleonic era, catch the eye.