 Introduzione
Birthplace of fettuccine, tortellini, lasagna, prosciutto, and Parmesan cheese, the region has a spectacular culinary tradition. But there are also many cultural riches in the flat, fertile Po plain and its surroundings. Emilia-Romagna, the southeastern part of the north Italian plain occupies the area extending from the River Po to the Apennines and then eastward to the Adriatic coast. It comprises the provinces of Bologna, Ferrara, Forli, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna and Reggio nell'Emilia. Emilia-Romagna is one of the richest regions of Italy, and its cuisine one of the most characteristic.
Population and economy
The high fertility of the soil and the advantages of its situation in an area of passage traversed by ancient traffic and trade routes between the Adriatic, northern Italy and the Gulf of Genoa enabled this region, and particularly the larger towns, to attain considerable prosperity from an early period.
Emilia-Romagna is still one of Italy's most highly developed regions. The main elements in its agriculture are meat and dairy farming, tomatoes and fruit, sugar-beet, maize and rice. Its industries have an international reputation - petro-chemicals, based on the recently developed resources of oil and natural gas in the Po plain, engineering, car manufacture, textiles, boots and shoes. On the Adriatic coast fisheries and the tourist trade also make important contributions to the economy of the region.
 History and Culture
The name Emilia-Romagna has roots in the Ancient Rome legacy in these lands. Aemilia refers to via Emilia, a military road running from Rimini along the south edge of the north Italian plain via Bologna, Parma and Piacenza to Tortona which was built by the consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in 187 B.C. to protect the Roman provinces north of the Apennines. After the Lombard conquest of northern Italy the southeast part of the region, including Forli and Ravenna, remained in Byzantine hands under the name of Romagna.
 Places in the Region of Emilia Romagna
The principal city is Bologna, an historic, cultural and entertainment center of national importance. Other important cities include Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Rimini, Ferrara, Forli, Cesena, Ravenna and Maranello.
One of the richest regions of Italy, Emilia-Romagna is a gigantic treasure house filled with architectural gems and artistic masterpieces, with ancient and famous universities, and modern centres of artistic and cultural learning. In Bologna, the home of the most ancient Italian university (eleventh century), the monuments of great artistic value are truly countless. Here we shall mention just the two ancient spectacular towers of the Asinelli and the Garisenda, both leaning, and Piazza Maggiore, with its great medieval buildings, and the gothic duomo of S. Petronio, where Charles V was crowned emperor in 1530.Outside Bologna, you should not miss the Byzantine masterpieces of Ravenna, the medieval baptistery of Benedetto Antelami in Parma, the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini, the Romanesque church of S.Mercuriale in Forl, the ancient Palazzo comunale in Piacenza, the seventeenth-century Sanctuary of the Madonna della Ghiara in Reggio Emilia, the splendid Galleria Estense in Modena, or the harmonious and well-preserved historic centre of Ferrara.
 Eventi
Artefiera - end of January - Bologna
International exhibition and market of contemporary art, one of the longest running shows in Italy for the art market, with more than 250 exhibiting galleries.
Carneval - Feb-Mar - Bologna
A celebration of excess before the fasting of Lent, with parades, balls and costumes and particularly the huge feasts.
Bologna Festival - March-May - Bologna
A classical music festival which has brought the most prestigious names of the international concert world to Bologna for more than 20 years. The festival is held at two separate times during the year: in the spring between March and May and in fall between October and November. Various venues: Europauditorium, Teatro Comunale and others.
Celebrations of Madonna di San Luca - 6th Sunday of Easter - Bologna
Bologna's most important religious festival is held: the image of the Madonna kept in the Santuario di San Luca descends into the city for the blessing in the church of S. Petronio. The celebration closes with the solemn return procession of the image to the Sanctuary.
Cinema Ritrovato - April - Bologna
Retrospective film festival, Cineteca Comunale.
Artelibro - September - Bologna
The only event of this kind in Italy. A great art book festival, which covers each product connected to the sector: from show catalogs to art books for children. The show is held in Palazzo Re Enzo, in the heart of the city. A full schedule of related events: book presentations, meetings with the author, debates and exhibits.
 Utili
Gallery
Museum
Museum
Museum
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
Transport
|