Emilia Romagna

Emilia-Romagna, historic cities, villages and flavours of Italy

Emilia-Romagna is a region of northern Italy stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. It offers a remarkably varied landscape of historic cities, small villages, countryside, seaside resorts and mountains, together with one of Italy’s most celebrated culinary traditions.

The region combines two historically distinct areas, Emilia and Romagna, which still preserve their own cultural characteristics and traditions. Its position along important routes across northern Italy encouraged the development of prosperous cities associated with art, universities, commerce and manufacturing.

Bologna is the regional capital, but Emilia-Romagna’s cultural heritage also includes Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna and many smaller towns. Ravenna is particularly important for its extraordinary collection of early Christian and Byzantine monuments.

What to see in Emilia-Romagna

Bologna is famous for its extensive network of porticoes, medieval towers and Piazza Maggiore. It is also home to one of the oldest universities in the Western world and has a particularly lively historic centre.

Ravenna preserves some of Europe’s finest early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. Its UNESCO monuments reflect the period when the city played a central role during the final centuries of the Western Roman Empire and later Byzantine rule in Italy.

Parma is known for its cathedral, baptistery and Teatro Farnese, while Modena has a magnificent Romanesque cathedral and the distinctive Ghirlandina tower.

In Ferrara, the imposing Este Castle and Renaissance streets recall the city’s period under the Este family. Elsewhere, smaller towns and villages such as Brisighella, Dozza and Comacchio reveal another side of the region.

Emilia-Romagna is also one of Italy’s great food destinations. Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, traditional balsamic vinegar, fresh pasta and numerous local specialities form an essential part of its identity.

When to visit Emilia-Romagna

Spring and autumn are excellent for exploring historic cities and villages. Summer is particularly suitable for the Adriatic coast and the Apennines, while winter offers a quieter atmosphere in many of the region’s cities.