"Gessi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa" Regional Park

From the first hill slopes of Ozzano dell'Emilia you find Villa Torre Visitors' Centre  in the locality of and you enter the Regional Park Gessi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa, which extends itself also to San Lazzaro di Savena and Pianoro. 

The Park consists of a complex territory in which the spectacular gypsum outcrops and the characteristic gullies of Abbadessa Pass are the most interesting features. In the areas of the gypsum outcrops, the rock with its crystal structure and pearly brightness is also called selenite (moon rock).

The roads and the paths going through this protected area overlook sceneries of unexpected beauty: bare rocky cliffs leaning out big basins similar to natural amphitheaters, apparently inaccessible places concealing caves' entrances, harsh gully slopes alternating with gentle clayey slopes. Because of the karstic nature of the gypsum, this area is characterized by dolines, closed valleys, swallow holes, and erosions.

Besides the number of evidences demonstrating the natural history of the area, there are the signs left by man whose presence in these hills dates back to prehistoric times: Ciagnano, beautiful panoramic point over the Abbadessa Pass, the Pieve of Pastino (parish church) situated in an extremely panoramic point dominating the plain, the Church dedicated to Saint Andrea keeping the remains of the Blessed Badessa (Mother Superior) Lucia of Settefonti, a borough at the top of Settefonti hill and the borough of San Pietro.

The Park is the setting of various events such as concerts, plays, guided tours and laboratories.