This part of the Bolognese Apennine, East of the river Reno valley, features a dividing crest made of a large number of rises, almost completely wooded, that rarely top 1200m of altitude. At the highest altitudes, there is a large presence of sandy limestone, whereas the hill territory features a loamy soil, with spots of harder rocks, lowering towards the Bolognese plain. In the loamy ridges, among vineyards, fields and woods you can notice a large amount of erosions made by ravines, which are dull at a first look, but the whole panorama can be very enchanting.
The landscape of the high valley of river Idice (river Savena being its tributary) is unusual but beautiful: vast prairies covered with heather and juniper shrubs. Among the most important and impressive features of this area are the Monte Canda (1158m), the Sasso di S. Zenobi - a black ophiolite rock - and La Martina natural park, one of the most relevant in the province of Bologna. This area is characterised by a vast coniferous forest, unusual in this area but the result of a recent reforestation, and some typical trees like turkey oaks and yoke-elms. The valley of river Savena is dig between two rocky walls and is very attractive and worth a visit.
      The flora in this area varies according to the differing altitudes: at the lower altitudes, cultivations and little sessile oak-woods alternate, pasture land and chestnut-woods between 600 and 1000m, and widespread beech-woods at the higher altitudes. Tripping through the two valleys, you will have natural little wonders catching your eye: protected species of flowers like columbines, red lilies and even some orchids.
The communes of Castiglione dei Pepoli, San Benedetto Val di Sambro e Pianoro are part of this valley.
      The history of this area is very variegated too. Etruscan, Lombard, Roman and Byzantine remains have been found and the large number of parish churches, abbeys and fortresses - dating back to the Middle Ages - testify a very complex development. The fortress of Castiglione dei Gatti, later named "dei Pepoli" after the feudal family who bought it, is surely one of the most famous fortresses of the area.
This village exists since the Romans and the Gallic, then it became property of Matilde di Canossa and Taddeo Pepoli and only in the 18th century it has been unified to the commune of Bologna.