Of Sounds The Steps — Castiglione dei Pepoli stop
Music and words along the Via degli Dei, from the Bolognese Apennines to Florence
About Of Sounds The Steps
A festival to be walked
Of Sounds The Steps is a travelling review created in 2018 by the Fondazione Fabbrica Europa that intertwines music, words, and walking along the Via degli Dei, the historic 120-kilometre route connecting Bologna to Florence through the Apennine woods. The festival deliberately chooses to avoid large urban centres to reach villages, refuges, and secluded places, where the concert becomes a shared experience among walkers, cyclists, residents, and visitors. In the 2026 edition, the route touches Bologna, Castiglione dei Pepoli, Marradi, Firenzuola, Scarperia and San Piero, Fiesole, and Florence.
The Castiglione dei Pepoli stop
In the Municipality of Castiglione dei Pepoli, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna and in the heart of the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, the 2026 stop is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th at 6:00 PM at the Rifugio dell'Abetaia, immersed in the fir woods that give the place its name. The protagonist is the Calabrian singer-songwriter Peppe Voltarelli with the show "Bologna – Firenze AR", created specifically for the occasion.
Peppe Voltarelli: "Bologna – Firenze AR"
Through the songs from his repertoire, pieces by the group Il Parto delle Nuvole Pesanti, and tributes to Claudio Lolli, Voltarelli tells of his personal connection with Bologna and Florence, the two cities that have marked his artistic and human journey. The show combines storytelling, irony, and singer-songwriter music in a unique natural setting, where music dialogues with the Apennine landscape.
A journey of music and slowness
Designed for those travelling the Via degli Dei on foot or by bicycle, Of Sounds The Steps offers a different way to experience a concert: you arrive by walking, listen outdoors, and rediscover the value of slow time and the territory. Among the 2026 stops, the new production "La veglia Sibilla" in Marradi and the events in historic parish churches and palaces along the route also stand out.
- Municipality: Castiglione dei Pepoli (BO), Bolognese Apennines
- Region: Emilia-Romagna
- 2026 stop date: Saturday, June 6th, 6:00 PM
- Location: Rifugio dell'Abetaia
- Artist: Peppe Voltarelli
- Admission: free until seats are full
Of Sounds The Steps — edition 2026
The seventh edition of Of Sounds The Steps takes place from June 3rd to 21st, 2026, along the Via degli Dei, touching Bologna, Castiglione dei Pepoli, Marradi, Firenzuola, Scarperia and San Piero, Fiesole, and Florence.
The Castiglione dei Pepoli stop is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th at 6:00 PM at the Rifugio dell'Abetaia, with a concert by Peppe Voltarelli, "Bologna – Firenze AR". The singer-songwriter performs songs from his repertoire, pieces by the group Il Parto delle Nuvole Pesanti, and tributes to Claudio Lolli, recounting his connection to the two terminal cities of the route.
Programme Of Sounds The Steps 2026
- Saturday, June 6th, 6:00 PM — Castiglione dei Pepoli, Rifugio dell'Abetaia: Peppe Voltarelli, "Bologna – Firenze AR"
Other stops of the 2026 edition along the Via degli Dei: June 3rd Bologna (IAAD, Sebastiano De Gennaro & Vincenzo Vasi); June 13th Marradi (Teatro degli Animosi, "La veglia Sibilla" with Monica Demuru and Pierfrancesco Mucari); June 14th Firenzuola (Pieve di San Giovanni Decollato); June 20th Scarperia and San Piero (Palazzo dei Vicari, Mauro Ermanno Giovanardi); June 21st Florence (Villa Il Palmerino, Naomi Berrill).
Highlights Of Sounds The Steps 2026
- Peppe Voltarelli's concert "Bologna – Firenze AR" at Rifugio dell'Abetaia
- Tributes to Claudio Lolli and songs by Il Parto delle Nuvole Pesanti
- Outdoor music in the woods of the Bolognese Apennines
- Travelling festival along the Via degli Dei for walkers and cyclists
Prices Of Sounds The Steps 2026
Practical information — Of Sounds The Steps
How to get there
Castiglione dei Pepoli is located in the Bolognese Apennines, along the ridge connecting Bologna to Florence. By car, it can be reached from the A1 motorway (Roncobilaccio or Pian del Voglio exit) or along the SS325. The Rifugio dell'Abetaia is nestled in the woods near the town: it is advisable to check access and parking before setting off.
Times and tickets
The Castiglione dei Pepoli stop is scheduled for Saturday, June 6th, 2026, at 6:00 PM. Admission is free until all available seats are filled. For some festival stops, booking is required: it is advisable to consult the official Fabbrica Europa website or write to [email protected].
Tips
The festival is designed for walkers and cyclists along the Via degli Dei: suitable clothing and footwear for mountain trails are recommended. As it is an outdoor event, bring water and a light jacket for the evening in the Apennines.
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Where does it take place — Of Sounds The Steps
Rifugio dell'Abetaia
Località Abetaia, 40035 Castiglione dei Pepoli