Dovadola is a municipality in the Province of Forlì-Cesena in the Italian region Emilia-Romagna, located about 60 km southeast of Bologna and about 20 km southwest of Forlì.
This medieval village, which has kept alive its rural origins, is located in the first hills of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines along the Montone river. Its deep rural origins are closely linked to the land from which it receives precious gifts such as the famous white truffle, a precious "nugget" for gourmets.

A brief history.
The name probably derives from the Latin words 'duo vadora', two fords, with reference to the position of the village on the Montone river, which must be crossed to enter and leave the village. Dovadola belonged to the Counts Guidi in the Middle Ages, until 1405 when it passed to Florence. Under the dominion of Florence it became the residence of the podestà.

Places of tradition. The Florentine urban structure can still be seen in the orthogonal topography between the riverbed and the fortress. The castle was fortified in the 13th century and today it dominates the surrounding area in the same way as it dominated the Florentine road in the past. Under the fortress there is the oldest built-up area, the so called "Murata", dominated by the Torre dell'Orologio. Near the Torre dell'Orologio there is the Oratory of S. Lorenzo.

Benedetta Bianchi Porro.
Born in Dovadola in 1936, she died in Sirmione del Garda after months of suffering from a rare illness which destroyed her physically but not morally. Despite being lay, young Benedetta found great comfort in religion, which she expressed in her diary. She has already been declared Venerable and her sanctification is currently under discussion. Dovadola has dedicated a museum to Benedetta, in an 18th century building in the town centre, and a rest place in the old abbey of Sant'Andrea, destination for thousands of pilgrims.
Surrounding area.

A few kilometres from Dovadola in an isolated position in the gentle hills, there is the monastery of Montepaolo, where St. Anthony of Padua stayed between 1221 and 1222. Immersed in silence and surrounded by trees, it is the ideal place to strengthen one's spirit, away from the bustle and noise of the city.

EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED

Truffle festival and fair
Every year in October the streets of the village fill with the fragrance of white truffle, which is considered by some to be the best. Stands and restaurants work round the clock to offer you the opportunity to savour the delicate flavour of truffle in typical dishes and products of Romagna.

Medieval Festival
History and culture are at the heart of the summer in Dovadola. The village returns to its ancient splendour with typical stands, people in medieval costumes and medieval dinners.

USEFUL INFORMATION

   http://www.trivago.co.uk/forli-45376/hotel

MUNICIPALITY OF DOVADOLA
Address P.zza della Libertà, 3 - 47013 - Dovadola
Tel. 0543 934764 - Fax 0543 934703
E-mail segreteria@comune.dovadola.fc.it
Website www.comune.dovadola.fc.it