Archeological Park and openair Museum of Terramara in Montale
The Terramare – An Ancient Civilization of the Po Valley
The Terramare culture represents one of the most intriguing Bronze Age societies that
developed in Emilia and across the central Po Valley between the 17th and 12th centuries BC.
These settlements were designed with remarkable defensive systems: the inhabitants built
large earthen embankments reinforced with wooden palisades and surrounded by water-filled
ditches, creating an advanced protective structure for their time.
The houses stood on raised platforms supported by wooden posts—an architectural solution
reminiscent of pile dwellings, but adapted to dry land. This elevation helped keep the interiors
insulated from ground moisture. Over centuries of rebuilding, layers of debris accumulated
and gradually formed small artificial mounds that can still be identified in the landscape.
In the 19th century, the soil extracted from these ancient mounds became highly valued as a
natural fertilizer, and numerous pits were opened to collect it. These sites came to be known
as terre “mare” or marne.
Modern archaeological research reveals that Terramare communities were prosperous, wellorganized, and surprisingly advanced from a technological perspective. Their decline around
1200 BC is linked to climatic changes, environmental pressures, and significant socioeconomic transformations.
Il Parco Archeologico di Montale
The Montale Archaeological Park is one of the most important sites dedicated to the
Terramare culture and offers an immersive way to explore this ancient world.
The protected excavation area allows visitors to view the structural remains of the village and
trace the evolution of more than four centuries of continuous habitation directly on the
ground.
Next to the excavation stands the open-air museum, where part of the village has been
faithfully reconstructed at full scale. Visitors can see the defensive ditch, the embankment
with wooden palisades, the main entrance, and two large dwellings rebuilt with scientific
accuracy based on archaeological findings. The interiors are furnished with everyday tools,
utensils, and replicas of original artifacts, providing a vivid impression of life during the Bronze
Age.
📍 Castelnuovo Rangone (MO)
📍 SS 12 Nuova Estense, 41050 Castelnuovo Rangone, Modena
Visit the website