Emilia Romagna is a region of Northern Italy, born out of the merger of two former regions, Emilia and Romagna. It has an area of 8,666 square miles, and about 4.4 million inhabitants, making it the 6th largest region in Italy. Emilia-Romagna also has the third highest GDP per capita in Italy, and is one of the richest, most developed regions in Europe. The landscape is mostly plains, though parts are quite hilly and mountainous.
Emilia Romagna lies between the Po River to its north and the Apennine Mountains to its south, creating a Mediterranean climate. To explore the abundance of natural sights, spring and summer are the best times to visit.
As one of the most fertile lands in Italy, Emilia Romagna offers breathtaking views that contrast wonderfully from the mountains to the sea. Not to mention that Emilia Romagna is a breeding ground for nationally and internationally acclaimed music, cinema, and art.
TOURS AND ACTIVITIES
Cycling and Trekking: For nature lovers, Emilia Romagna is a buffet of flora and fauna to be enjoyed. There are 2 national parks, 14 regional parks, and 11 regional reserves for those who want to take a deep dive into the wilderness.
Horseback Riding: Horseback riders can follow itineraries on the Via Francigena in the areas of Piacenza and Parma, enjoying the many parks and following the innumerable paths sprinkled throughout the entire region.
Spa Treatments: If rest and relaxation is your way to start a vacation, Emilia Romagna offers plenty of beauty and wellness services. Several spas offer relaxation and rejuvenation through their therapeutic and regenerating treatments. Salsomaggiore, Tabiano, Bagno di Romagna, Castrocaro, and Porretta are only some of the places that are best-known for their facilities.
PLACES TO VISIT
Bologna: As the capital of Emilia Romagna, Bologna is a diverse city offering commerce, culture, art, and cuisine, and in part college town with a rather alternative flair. Main characteristic of the city are its porticoes that reach a total length of about 23 miles, thus rendering Bologna the city with the most arcades in the world. Some of the main attractions to see, include the Basilica di San Petronio, one of the most beautiful churches in Italy, Piazza del Nettuno, attached to the Piazza Maggiore on its northwest, which exhibits the Fountain of Neptune by Giambologna, and finally, if you’re feeling particularly energetic, climb the 498 steps of the Asinelli Tower and enjoy the views from the top.
Modena: Residing within a region of traditions, passion for good cooking, and cars, the Province of Modena, centered in the heart of the region, offers a variety of natural, artistic, and architectural sites to see. The Romanesque Cathedral, located in Piazza Grande, is unlike other cathedrals in Italy, in that it is completely constructed with white marble. Combined with the Piazza and Ghirlandina Tower, they are one of the 48 UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Italy.
Exploring Via Emilia, you will find the Palazzo dei Musei that houses the most important cultural institutes of the city, such as the Lapidary Museum, the Estense Library and Gallery, the Civic Museums, the Municipal Historic Archive.
Ferrara: Lagoon settlements and valleys, pinewoods and seaside resorts along the coast, and cities rich in art allow for itineraries of great interest. Ferrera has broad streets and numerous palaces dating from the 14th and 15th centuries, when it hosted the court of the House of Este. For its beauty and cultural importance it has been deemed a UNESCO World Heritage Site.” The City of Ferrara is a refined experience of architecture and of its works of art, great expressions of the medieval and renaissance period. Here you can visit the Piazza della Repubblica, the 14th Castello Estense, and the Romanesque 12th century Cathedral of San Giorgio, which houses works of art such as the ancient panels of the Organo, the 13th century panels from the Porta dei Mesi, as well as ancient tapestries and paintings.
Bologna
FOOD SPECIALTIES
Erbazzone: A spinach pie made with fuiada pasta as the crusts, this traditionally peasant food is a hearty addition to any menu. Filled with a mixture of beets boiled (sometimes combined with boiled spinach), egg, scallion, onion, garlic, and Parmigiano- Reggiano, it is then closed with another layer of pasta, sprinkled with lardons or chopped bacon, and pricked with a fork.
Tortellini and Tortelloni: Tortellini are ring-shaped pasta, sometimes also described as “navel shaped”, hence their alternative name of “belly button” (ombelico). They are typically stuffed with a mix of meat (pork loin, prosciutto) or cheese, and served in broth, either beef, chicken, or both, as well as many traditional pasta sauces. Tortelloni on the other hand, are larger and typically made with ricotta and herbs, and usually served either with ragù or with melted butter and sage leaves.
Mortadella: Is a large Italian sausage or cold cut meat made from finely hashed or ground, heat-cured pork sausage, and at least 15% small cubes of pork fat. It is flavored with spices, including black pepper, myrtle berries, nutmeg, pistachios, and jalapeños and/or olives.
Piadina: Piadina or Piada is a thin Italian flatbread, usually made with white flour, lard or olive oil, salt, and water.
Gutturnio: Gutturnio is a DOC certified wine that blends from one of Italy’s classic red-grape varieties, Barbera, and the lesser-known Croatina to create a relatively soft, well-rounded red wine with cherry-like aromas.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Fires of Spring and Festival of the Sepia: Fiera di San Guiseppe e Sagra della Seppia (Fires of Spring and Festival of the Sepia) is held in the town of Pinarella on the beaches of Cervia. This festival is an annual traditional celebration called a Focarina, which celebrates the burning of the winter months into spring. Bon fires are built, and the festival ensues, accompanied by singing, music shows, animation, and traditional markets. At night fireworks are sent up over the sea.
Ferrara Buskers Festival: Held in Ferrara in August, this event, dedicated to the ‘art of the road,’ draws almost a million onlookers. The name Buskers refers to street-performers: music, theater, dance, juggling, to name just a few. They come from around the world, and donate their time and their talents in the name of their art.
White Truffle Fair of Sant’Agatha Feltria: Gastronomes form far and wide flock to this event to savor the exceptional tastes of the white truffle. Fiera del Tartufo Bianco di Sant’Agatha Feltria (White Truffle Fair of Sant’Agatha Feltria) is held in October every year in the medieval town of Sant Agatha Feltria, also known as the Truffle City. The festival welcomes over 100,000 people with cultural exhibitions, performances, entertainment, and of course, truffle tastings.