The Heart of the Apennines
Rocchetta Sandri is a small hamlet of the municipality of Sestola, set in the Modenese Apennines at about 700 metres above sea level. The village stands on a panoramic plateau, surrounded by chestnut and beech woods, with views over the peaks of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines.
The name Rocchetta evokes the ancient presence of a small military fortress, already mentioned in 753 AD in a diploma of the Lombard king Astolfo. The toponym Sandri was added later, in honour of the most prominent local family.
Centuries of Memory
Lombard Garrison
When the Lombards descend into Italy, the Castrum Scoplano holds out, together with Sestola, until 728. Its panoramic position overlooking the Scoltenna valley makes it a fundamental strategic control point for transit towards Tuscany.
Castrum Scoplano
The Lombard king Astolfo mentions the Castrum Scoplano in a royal diploma — the same one by which he donated the Castrum Sextulae and the surrounding territories to the Abbey of Nonantola. It is the first written testimony of the settlement that would give rise to Rocchetta Sandri.
End of the Independent Municipality
After the wars between Obizzo di Montegarullo and the Estensi, the village is annexed to the province of the Frignano, losing its long history as an independent municipality. The name Sandri is added in honour of the most important local family.
Destruction and Rebirth
The ducal commissioner Zanelli orders the fortress to be razed, some houses and the church torn down, as retaliation for the inhabitants' participation in the Sack of Sestola by the Tanari family. The fortress is, however, partially rebuilt, giving rise to the nickname Rocchetta which survives to this day.
A Farming Community
The village becomes a thriving agricultural centre, known for the production of milk and Parmigiano-Reggiano and for local artisan traditions. No visible traces of the ancient fortress remain: the village develops in several groups of farmhouses without a consolidated historic centre.
Tourism and Traditions
Rocchetta Sandri is a destination for hikers and nature lovers. The Festival of Saint Eurosia and the Modenese crescentine remain living traditions that enliven the community every year.
What to Discover
Oratory of the Madonna del Voto
A sanctuary of devotion since 1631. The community's vow during the 1855 cholera epidemic and the annual celebration on the last Sunday of September.
Discover →The Medieval Fortress
Castrum Scoplano, the Lombard garrison that controlled the valley. From the Diploma of Astolfo (753) to the traces of 1535.
Discover →Church of San Giovanni Battista
The spiritual heart of the village, with its sober architecture in local stone and an oratory dedicated to the Madonna del Voto.
Discover →Mountain Parmigiano-Reggiano
The cheese-making tradition of the Modenese Apennines: mountain milk, maturing, and the Caseificio Santa Lucia in Sestola.
Discover →Festival of Saint Eurosia
The most traditional summer festival of the Modenese Apennines: authentic gastronomy, live music and religious celebrations on the first weekend of July.
Discover →Mountain Crescentine
The traditional bread of the Modenese Apennines, cooked on tigelle. Discover the real difference between crescentina and tigella — a food and cultural battle.
Discover →The Protagonists
The people who contributed in an extraordinary way to the life and development of the Rocchetta Sandri community
Don Nino Bozzoli Malerba
1920 – 1976Parish priest of Rocchetta Sandri from 1957 to 1972, he founded the nursery school, brought Telescuola to the village and opened the cinema as a tool for cultural growth. A groundbreaking priest who put culture and innovation at the service of the weakest.
Read the story →
Teacher Gemma Benvenuti
1923 – 2017To everyone, she was "my teacher". With over 40 years of teaching in post-war multi-grade classes, she trained generations of children, transmitting the value of study and commitment. Gold medal for merit from the President of the Republic.
Read the story →Memories of the Village
The tales of the elders of Rocchetta Sandri: stories, traditions and memories of a bygone era
How we were
Daily life, crafts, the rhythm of the seasons. The tales of those who lived the Rocchetta of old.
Discover →Important moments
The dates that marked the history of the village: events, turning points, episodes that changed the life of the community.
Discover →The characters
Particular, unconventional figures that the community remembers with tenderness and amusement.
Discover →The testimonies are part of a historical memory collection project of Rocchetta Sandri. If you also have memories to share, contact us.
Historical Archive
Manuscripts, documents and written testimonies that preserve the memory of Rocchetta Sandri
The archive is continuously expanding. If you have documents or written testimonies you want to share, contact us.
Where We Are
Rocchetta Sandri, hamlet of Sestola (MO) – Modenese Apennines
Come Visit Us
Rocchetta Sandri awaits you in every season: snow in winter, flowers in spring, the cool of the woods in summer and the colours of autumn foliage.
- 📍 Rocchetta Sandri, Sestola (MO), Emilia-Romagna
- ✉️ turismo@comune.sestola.mo.it
- 🌐 Municipality of Sestola – Province of Modena
For information on hikes, accommodation and local events:
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