The municipal area is crossed from south to north by the Lavino stream, in whose valley the main inhabited centers are located (the capital Calderino, Monte San Giovanni, Oca, Badia and Montepastore, all on its left bank).

The municipal area of Monte San Pietro has been inhabited since 2500 BC, as evidenced by the archaeological finds of San Martino in Casola which testify to the presence of Neolithic or Copper Age populations.

The definitive settlement on the territory took place at the time of the fall of the Lombards in 568 AD, to defend the territories of eastern Emilia from the invaders the Romans created a defensive line that also included "Verabulo" (ancient name of a inhabited center today located in San Lorenzo in Collina). The area therefore assumed particular importance from a military and strategic point of view and the physiognomy of the territory was established over the centuries with the multiplication, up to the year 1000, of various castles and rural villages.

Following the barbarian invasions, the territory became the border between two states and civilizations: Lombards and Byzantines. The former ended up conquering it definitively and dominating it until the arrival of the Franks who delivered Pope Bologna and the surrounding territories.
The territory was subsequently involved in the centuries-old disputes between Bologna and Modena and was governed by local noble vassals of Matilde di Canossa, countess of Modena.

Inserted since the 14th century in the Vicariate of Savigno, the name "Monte Sancti Petri" is mentioned for the first time.
In 1810 a new system came into force, as a result of which the Municipality of Monte San Pietro was established as we know it today.

The strong human life toll paid by citizens during the Liberation after the Second World War was recognized in 1994 with the Bronze Medal for Military Valor .