Castellaràno is a town in the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna, which rises on the left bank of the Secchia river, at the foot of the Reggio Apennines, south-east of Reggio Emilia, and south-west of Modena. In the characteristic historic center, crossed by cobbled paths, the most characteristic building is the Rocchetta di Castellarano, a small fortress built in the opening of the old city walls that surrounded the historic center. Articulated construction, surrounded on three sides by a moat, with three doors, inside is the ancient village, whose fulcrum is the Parish of Santa Maria Assunta, an ancient pre-Romanesque church.

Its surroundings lend themselves to walking or cycling. In the surroundings of Castellaràno there is a giant bench, the Panchina Gigante Granata n. 106. The characteristic "red" bench, or Big Bench, there are several in different regions, is located on Mount Malee, on the border between the territory of the municipality of Castellarano and the hamlet of Roteglia. It can also be reached on foot from the center of Castellarano, even if the path is long and uphill, therefore suitable for trained people. The position of the bench is clearly chosen to allow those who reach it to enjoy a splendid landscape.

Foto: di Sergio Barbieri, CC BY-SA 2.0