The mud Volcanoes path

The tourist itinerary runs for over 60 km and crosses six towns (Fiorano Modenese, Maranello, Sassuolo, Scandiano, Castellarano, Viano) and two provinces, touching over 50 points of interest, including towns, historical dwellings, archaeological sites and natural and environmental beauty spots.

All places linked by the mud volcanoes, known as the 'salse', a unique scientific, geological and botanical phenomenon.

The so-called 'mud volcanoes' are created by salty and muddy water mixed with gaseous and liquid hydrocarbons rising to the surface, through the faults and fractures of the land. The mud volcanoes have a cone or spring-like formation, depending on the density of the mud. The name “salsa” (from the Latin salsus) derives from the high salt content of the fossil waters, a reminder that what is now the Po Valley was covered by the sea up to 1 million years ago.

The Salse di Nirano field, in the territory of the town of Fiorano Modenese, is one of the most important in Italy and one of the most complex in Europe. Smaller in size but no less fascinating and spectacular are the ‘salse’ in the towns of Maranello (località Puianello), Sassuolo (località Montegibbio) and Viano (località Regnano and Casola Querciola).

They can be visited independently all year round.

Free apps

Download the free Mud Volcanoes Path app, with maps and information on the territory and parts of it.
The Mud Volcanoes Path is also present on the Apennine Pathways app, also free.
WWF brochure

Contacts

Cà Tassi Visitor Centre: tel. + 39 0536 921214
Cà Rossa Ecomuseum: tel. + 39 05361856484
Fiorano Modenese Town Council - Environmental Office
tel. +39 0536  833276, salse.nirano@fiorano.it, www.fiorano.it
Ecosapiens
tel. +39 0522 343238 (from Monday to Friday)
IAT “Terra di Motori” Information and Tourist Office
tel. +39 0536 073036, iat@maranello.it