Eight early Christian monuments in Ravenna make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site and represent architectural and artistic developments between the 5th and 6th centuries AD. Their mosaics are among the best-preserved examples of this art form in Europe. Western and Eastern motifs and techniques come together in them. At the same time, the mosaic tradition is part of Ravenna’s cultural identity: education, training, preservation and promotion keep the art of mosaics alive.
Cityscapes and architecture
Ferrara was the first Renaissance city to be developed according to a complex urban plan. In Modena, Piazza Grande is located on the historic Via Emilia in the medieval city centre. The cathedral and the Torre Civica are considered together an outstanding example of early Romanesque art, with exceptional architectural and sculptural quality.
The cultural highlights differ: Ravenna is known for mosaic art, Ferrara for its Renaissance city developed according to a complex plan, and Modena for its early Romanesque architecture. In Emilia-Romagna, you will find not only individual landmarks but also different stories about how art and urban form have been shaped.
Po Delta, protected areas and coast
The landscape of the Ferrara Po Delta stretches from the River Po to the Valli di Comacchio. The delta’s original Renaissance landscape can still be seen in the region’s 21st-century landscape design. In the Po Delta, the Emilia-Romagna Regional Park lies south of the Po; north of the river is the Veneto Regional Park.
Emilia-Romagna’s network of protected areas extends from the Apennine ridge to the Adriatic coast. It includes two national parks, one interregional park, 14 regional parks and 17 nature reserves. The region also protects and preserves 73 different habitats, more than 2,700 plant types and over 350 vertebrate species. The beaches along the Riviera Romagnola stretch for more than 110 kilometres.
The Po Delta Regional Park has dedicated birdwatching routes, equipped areas and observation points. Birdwatching enthusiasts will find a range of facilities specifically designed for this purpose. The offering combines routes with areas and points where observations can be made.
Cycling route and practical information
You can start the Ciclovia dei Gessi di Gaibola at either San Lazzaro di Savena or Ozzano dell’Emilia railway station. The route is about 21 kilometres long and has significant climbs, so mountain bikes are recommended. Its length and elevation profile give you two useful points to consider when deciding whether to include this route in your trip.
Regional produce and culinary discoveries
Discovering local products is also part of exploring Emilia-Romagna. Twenty-four museums across the region are dedicated to its typical products. They showcase their history, the people behind them and the techniques used to make them. Cheese dairies, ham producers and balsamic vinegar makers organise tours that end with a tasting.
The Rocca Sforzesca in Dozza houses a permanent exhibition featuring more than 1,000 wines, spirits and balsamic vinegars. At the Enoteca Regionale dell’Emilia-Romagna in Dozza, visitors can taste and buy every label in the wine bar, which also regularly hosts meetings with producers.
At Casa Artusi, the “Mariette” teach visitors how to make piadina romagnola and sfoglia, as well as fresh egg pasta kneaded by hand and rolled out with a rolling pin. The culinary experiences have different focuses: producer tours include tastings, museums explore the history and production of local products, and Casa Artusi is dedicated to preparing them.
Discover more destinations: Bologna, Ferrara, Forlì-Cesena, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia, Rimini.
Go to the main travel overview: Italy.
