Villa in Via Romana Antica, San Benedetto Val di Sambro,

The cluster is in the northern Apennines, in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine belt. The Sambro valley and the upper Setta valley shape this area, with wooded slopes, ridgelines and small farm clearings. Much of the surrounding high ground falls within the Parco regionale storico di Monte Sole to the north and the Parco nazionale dell’Appennino Tosco-Emiliano is farther west beyond the 15 km radius. The nearest substantial town is Bologna, while within the mountain area the main service centres are smaller places such as Castiglione dei Pepoli and Monzuno. This part of the Apennines is known for the Futa and Raticosa passes, for chestnut woods and for the old road and rail crossings between Bologna and Florence.