Stay 
Zocca
approx. 4 km
A mountain town on a ridge of the Modena Apennines, 758 m above sea level, between the Panaro and Samoggia valleys. Its name is attested since 1337.
Photo: Giorgio Galeotti, CC BY-SA 4.0
Borgo Fontanini: sleep in a tower house in the Modena Apennines
Borgo Fontanini is a small stone hamlet in the Apennine hills of Emilia-Romagna, close to Montombraro and the mountain town of Zocca. Expedia lists three holiday homes there: a fortified house, a 15th-century tower and a 14th-century tower house. It is not a castle in the grand sense, but it offers something rarer: a night in a medieval-style tower with its own kitchen and fireplace.
At a glance
- Location
- Borgo Fontanini, near Montombraro in the municipality of Zocca (province of Modena), Emilia-Romagna; about 4 km from Zocca and some 30 km as the crow flies from Modena and Bologna
- Accommodation
- Three self-catering holiday homes in one hamlet: a fortified house (listed as dating from 1500), a 15th-century tower and a 14th-century tower house; run by a private host
- Highlights
- Fireplaces, fully equipped kitchens, garden and barbecue, mountain views, free Wi-Fi, parking on site
- Guest rating
- Fortified house: 10.0/10 from 2 reviews · 15th-century tower: 9.8/10 from 27 reviews · 14th-century tower house: 9.6/10 from 11 reviews, all on Expedia (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in from 3 pm (4 pm in the 14th-century tower house) · check-out at 10 am
- Good to know
- Non-smoking · breakfast available at extra cost · pets not allowed in the fortified house, one small dog or pet up to 25 kg welcome in each tower
Staying at Borgo Fontanini: a night in a tower of the Apennines
To stay at Borgo Fontanini is to take over a piece of a stone hamlet rather than check in to a hotel. Expedia lists three separate units in the same borgo: a fortified house presented as dating from 1500, a tower described as 15th-century and a tower house described as 14th-century. All three are self-catering, with a kitchen, a fireplace and linen provided, and the units are set in stone buildings with wooden beams, a dining room with decorative plates, and gravel paths among trees and flowers.
The fortified house has two bathrooms. The 15th-century tower also has two, plus a dining table, a small library with books and DVDs, and a living room with a staircase. The 14th-century tower house has three bathrooms, a bathtub, a living room, a television and a terrace with deckchairs, a garden, a barbecue and a children's playground. Bedrooms are simple and warm, with beamed ceilings and patterned textiles.
Because the hamlet is a private holiday let rather than a hotel, there is no reception or restaurant on site; the host offers breakfast at an extra charge on request, and a car is essential for shopping and dining out. That is part of the charm: it suits travellers who want a quiet base in the hills and enjoy cooking their own meals in a historic setting.
Photos of Borgo Fontanini
The history and setting of Borgo Fontanini
- 890 – The village of Guiglia, 6 km away, is named in a parchment of Nonantola Abbey; it later belonged to the lands of Matilda of Canossa.
- 1326 – Papal troops occupy Guiglia castle, which then passes under the rule of the Este family of Ferrara.
- 1337 – The name Zocca, from a dialect word for a chestnut stump, appears for the first time in the records.
- 1361–1362 – Fire destroys Guiglia castle on 16 June 1361; its reconstruction begins the next year and lasts about forty years.
- 14th–15th century – The two towers of the borgo are described by the Expedia listings as dating from the 14th and 15th centuries; the fortified house is listed as 1500.
- 1465 – Duke Borso d'Este allows the men of Montetortore to hold a twice-yearly market at Zocca, which helps the settlement grow.
- 1988 – A regional law creates the Sassi di Roccamalatina park, which covers the rock spires.
No Wikipedia article or other published source on the history of Borgo Fontanini itself could be found, so the dates for the buildings above come only from the Expedia listing titles and cannot be checked. What can be said is that the borgo sits in a landscape shaped by fortifications. Wikipedia notes that the countryside around the Sassi di Roccamalatina is dotted with rural hamlets and the remains of medieval defences.
The nearby Sassi are three sandstone spires that were once used as part of a defensive system around the Pieve di Trebbio, where traces of Etruscan settlement have been found. In this part of the Apennines, towers and fortified houses were a natural way to watch the valleys, which gives the borgo's stone architecture a believable setting.
Amenities at Borgo Fontanini
The details below come from the three Expedia listings (as of 14 Oct 2026) and can differ from unit to unit.
Living and cooking
- Fully equipped kitchen with hob, oven, fridge, dishwasher and toaster
- Cookware, crockery and cutlery provided
- Kettle and, in one tower, a dining table
- Fireplace
- Washing machine and ironing board
- Central heating
Bedrooms and bathrooms
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Two bathrooms in the fortified house and the 15th-century tower, three in the 14th-century tower house
- Shower, bidet, hairdryer, soap and toilet paper
- Bathtub in the 14th-century tower house
- Television and DVD player in the towers
Outdoors
- Garden with outdoor furniture and barbecue
- Terrace and deckchairs in the 14th-century tower house
- Children's playground in the 14th-century tower house
- Free parking on site
Services
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Breakfast available at extra cost, including a vegetarian option
- Laundry facilities and cleaning on request
- Cooking service and food delivery listed
- Local tours and activities arranged by local businesses
Where Borgo Fontanini is: in the hills above the Panaro valley
The borgo lies about 400 m from the village of Montombraro, which belongs to the municipality of Zocca in the province of Modena. Zocca town centre is about 4 km away, and the nearest big cities, Modena and Bologna, are roughly 30 km away as the crow flies. According to Expedia, the drive to Samoggia station takes about 35 minutes and to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi airport 56 to 59 minutes, so you will need a car.
Within a short drive there are everyday cafés and trattorias: Expedia lists a bar and ice-cream café and an osteria about 7 minutes away by car, with more places 12 to 17 minutes away. For nature, the Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park, created in 1988, covers about 2,300 hectares and rises to 621 m, with three rock spires where peregrine falcons nest.
The listings also mention the Pieve di Trebbio, the Museo del Castagno, the caves of Labante, the Rangoni tower of Rosola, and Castello di Guiglia within 15 km. Further out, Vignola, the Ferrari Museum at Maranello, Modena and Bologna make rewarding day trips.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances (as the crow flies from Borgo Fontanini)
| Montombraro (village) | approx. 400 m |
| Sassi di Roccamalatina Regional Park | approx. 3.5 km |
| Zocca | approx. 4 km |
| Castello di Guiglia | approx. 6 km |
| Rosola (village) | approx. 6.5 km |
| Castello di Serravalle | approx. 7 km |
| Rocca di Vignola | approx. 11 km |
| Ferrari Museum, Maranello | approx. 20 km |
| Modena Cathedral | approx. 30 km |
| Bologna | approx. 30 km |
Distances are as the crow flies from the coordinates of the main listing; driving times to the station and airport come from the Expedia listings.
Things to see around Borgo Fontanini
Castello di Guiglia
approx. 6 km
A hilltop castle, also called Castello Montecuccoli, above the Panaro valley. A fire destroyed it in 1361; rebuilding began in 1362 and lasted some forty years.
Photo: Mauroriccio, CC BY-SA 4.0
Castello di Serravalle
approx. 7 km
A medieval village on a ridge between Bologna and Modena. It became a self-governing commune in 1227 and was long contested by the two cities.
Photo: Aneta Malinowska, CC BY-SA 4.0
Rocca di Vignola
approx. 11 km
A fortress on the banks of the Panaro, documented since at least 1178. From 1401 it was turned into a noble residence by the Contrari family.
Photo: Mauro Ricc, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ferrari Museum, Maranello
approx. 20 km
A car museum about 300 m from the Ferrari factory. It opened in 1990, gained a new wing in 2004 and shows road and racing cars, trophies and photographs.
Photo: Wistula, CC BY-SA 3.0
Modena Cathedral
approx. 30 km
A masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, built by the architect Lanfranco over the tomb of Saint Geminianus, patron saint of Modena.
Photo: Mongolo1984, CC BY-SA 4.0
Tours & activities near Borgo Fontanini
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Bologna Food & Market Tour with Local Dishes, Pasta, Wines & More
On our Secret Food Tour Bologna: we'll provide you with an unforgettable taste experience. We'll start with a traditional Raviola with Mostarda alla …
View details ›
Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & Lunch By Italian Days
IMPORTANT! NO HOTEL PICK UP Meeting POINT. 7 am in Piazza XX 3 Settembre, nearby the trainstation in Bologna. What's included: - FACTORY/PRODUCTION …
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Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, Wine & Gelato
Embark on a unique culinary adventure in the Capital Food City. Join fellow participants in mastering the art of crafting Tagliatelle pasta with …
View details ›
Bologna Food Tour: Taste Local Specialties, Pasta, Wine & Gelato
Discover hidden gems and immerse yourself in the authentic rhythm of Bolognese life. This experience recreates classic outings with friends and …
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Bologna Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class With Wine by Cooking Italy
Take a break from sightseeing and embrace Italian cuisine with this pasta and tiramisu cooking class. Learn authentic recipes in a locally loved …
View details ›
Small Group Bologna Food Tour – Local Food & Market Experience
Delicious Bologna Food Tours want the tourists live an authentic experience like a local. 6 stops at some selected historical shops and restaurants …
View details ›
Bologna Small-Group Food Tour with Full Meal & Local Food Expert
Discover Bologna through its flavors on our Food Tour, a journey through the historic streets of one of Italy’s most vibrant culinary cities. Taste …
View details ›
Bologna City Walking Tour
A classic walking tour through the streets of the city centre. With this guided tour you will discover the history of Bologna and its main cultural …
View details ›Some descriptions are machine-translated.
Who is Borgo Fontanini for?
Families
The 14th-century tower house has a garden, a terrace and a children's playground, and all units have a kitchen for family meals.
Couples
Stone walls, a fireplace and mountain views make a quiet, romantic base far from the crowds of the plain.
Walkers and nature lovers
The Sassi di Roccamalatina park, chestnut woods and Apennine villages are all close by.
Food and motor fans
Vignola, Modena, Maranello and Bologna lie within a day trip, with their cathedrals, museums and local cooking.
Good to know before booking Borgo Fontanini
- There are three separate listings: the fortified house, the 15th-century tower and the 14th-century tower house. Check which unit you are booking, as capacity and layout differ.
- Check-in is from 3 pm (4 pm in the 14th-century tower house) and check-out is at 10 am.
- Pets are not allowed in the fortified house. In the two towers, one pet up to 25 kg is welcome.
- Breakfast is available at an extra charge; the units are otherwise self-catering.
- Free parking is available on site, and a car is needed to reach the borgo.
- The properties are non-smoking.
Find available dates at Borgo Fontanini
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Borgo Fontanini?
Yes. Expedia lists three holiday homes in the hamlet: a fortified house, a 15th-century tower and a 14th-century tower house, all self-catering.
Are pets allowed at Borgo Fontanini?
Not in the fortified house. The two towers welcome one pet, up to 25 kg, according to Expedia.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 3 pm (4 pm in the 14th-century tower house), and check-out is at 10 am.
Is there parking at Borgo Fontanini?
Yes, there is parking on the property.
How far is Borgo Fontanini from Bologna airport?
Expedia gives about 56 to 59 minutes by car to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi airport, and about 35 minutes to Samoggia station.
What is there to see near Borgo Fontanini?
Zocca and the Sassi di Roccamalatina park are about 4 km away, Castello di Guiglia 6 km, Vignola about 11 km, Maranello about 20 km, and Modena and Bologna about 30 km.
Photos of the rooms, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Borgo Fontanini listing on Expedia.
Looking for a quiet stone tower in the Apennines? Check availability for the Borgo Fontanini fortified house and towers on Expedia.
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