Discovering Emilia Romagna
Brisighella (RA): medieval village leaning against a gypsiferous cliff and towered over by selenite rocks on which the Fortress, the Clock Tower and the Monticino Sanctuary rise.
Fontanellato (PR): The majestic Sanvitale Fortress, whose most important treasure is the “Diana and Atteone hall”, frescoed in 1524 by Parmigianino, is situated in the center of the village.
Navigation of the Po: from Piacenza to the Serafini Island weir, to learn about the birdlife and botanical patrimony, the geography of the Po, the curiosities and anecdotes of the places that we come across.
Bertinoro (FC): medieval citadel rich in walls, towers and old houses, situated on the slopes of Mount Maggio and Mount Cesubeo. In a panoramic setting, it overlooks an evocative landscape and the view extends all the way to the sea.
Other villages: Mirandola, Cento, Budrio, Bagnocavallo, Castell’Arquato.
Tastes and flavors in Emilia Romagna
Balsamic vinegar: produced using local white grapes, the most important of which is the Trebbiano; the classic balsamic vinegar is aged for twelve years in precious wooden casks, from which it gets its aroma.
‘Cappelletti’ in capon broth (a kind of ravioli): homemade pasta with a meat and walnut filling, served in capon broth.
Tigelle modenesi (from Modena): small ‘focaccia’ to be served warm with meat cold cuts and cheeses.
Braised snails: in Ferrara, snails, after having been browned, are served with mushrooms and tomatoes in a tasty sauce.
Wines: Gutturnio, Lambrusco, Sangiovese, Trebbiano.
Handicrafts in Emilia Romagna
Ceramics: Faenza has a centuries-old ceramics tradition based on traditional decorative patterns from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century.
Wrought iron: decorative items, beds, floor lamps, wrought iron chairs.
Hand-printed cloths: a mineral-based dyeing paste is applied to the molds, followed by the printing, which expresses the artisan’s creativity when carrying out the requested designs on the cloths.
Musical instruments: violins, guitars, lutes and ocarinas, handmade following the dictates handed down by tradition.
Emilia Romagna: events & exhibitions
Faenza: last Sunday in June - Niballo ‘Palio’. The horsemen ride along a horseshoe- shaped course, at the end of which they must hit a target of only 8 cm.
Ferrara: the entire month of May - Ferrara ‘Palio’. A series of exhibitions, from the benediction of the ‘palios’ to the flag-waver and musician competitions, to the historical procession, up to the actual races.
Maranello: July - Cavallino uphill time trial. Uphill race on the Maranello-Serramazzoni segment, desired by Piero Ferrari and open to vintage and modern cars.
Reggio Emilia: between May and June -Pedalar Gustando (cycle ride with a Reggio Emilian flavor). The planned route passes through the ancient lands of the Canossa between teaching farms and bio-paradises.