Merel Diemont
Like a colored patchwork of fields and meadows, Emilia-Romagna – preferably pronounced with a lilting sound – stretches out from the sky below you. A whole palette of colors seems to have spread over the flat land: from golden yellow grain fields to deep green carpets with sugar beet. The centuries-old burgundy and ocher country houses complete the painting.
Emilia-Romagna: nature, history, culture, good food
As the plane descends to Bologna airport, the rolling green foothills of the Apennines emerge: the southern border of the region, which since 1947 has consisted of western Emilia and eastern Romagna. Once on the ground, delicious food smells waft at you from all the trattorias and you dream away between the historic palazzos of the capital, Bologna. And that's just the beginning...
Do not hesitate to discover Emilia-Romagna further. The region is relatively unknown and that is precisely the charm of the region. Admire the mosaics of Ravenna and enjoy the murals in Dozza.
Below you will get to know the 10 most beautiful places in Emilia-Romagna and discover why Lonely Planet the Emilia-Romagna region in 2018 voted best European destination. These are the best sights of Emilia-Romagna.
1. Eating out in Bologna
The four nicknames of Emilia-Romagna's capital immediately reveal why Bologna has become an increasingly popular destination in recent years. Let's start with The Grassa (the Fat). Not the most subtle nickname, but a valid one. In Bologna you will find the one and only tagliatelle with ragu, not to be confused with our sspaghetti bolognese. The pasta ribbons are handmade, the sauce is creamy and everything tastes even better with a glass of wine.
In Bologna you are always looking for an excuse to taste pastries, pasta and local cheese and cured meats. For centuries, the city has therefore been known as the Belly of Italy. Besides eating, you can also study well here. Since the 11th century, the city has had a university and students and impressive university buildings dominate the streetscape. Hence the second nickname, La Dotta (the Scholar).
The red roofs of the city are at least as decisive for the streetscape. From the high medieval towers a red sea stretches out beneath you. You can almost touch the other twenty towers and you understand why Bologna is both La Turrita (the Towered) as The Red (the Red) is called. This fourth nickname also refers to the city's communist and leftist character. Which in turn is thanks to the university.
2. Hiking in the Apennines
Thinking of Emilia-Romagna, one of the first associations is often the 'flat landscape'. The Po Valley certainly leaves its mark on the region, but so does the Apennines. The endless green hills and mountain peaks form an impressive backdrop for walks, cycling and mountain biking tours.
A large part of the Apennines in Emilia-Romagna belongs to the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park. This nature reserve is a mosaic of landscapes and places of interest. Here you will walk along vineyards and lakes in the morning, through dense oak forests in the afternoon and enjoy local dishes in the evening. Nature and culture are well protected here and many agriturismos (farms where you can also spend the night) offer educational projects.
The most beautiful and oldest walking tour through this part of the Apennines is the road of the gods (Via degli Deic). in the 7de century BC, Etruscan traders crossed the Apennines via this route. Centuries later, the Romans did the same. Today the route is a popular five-day walking tour. And the Gods? They show you the way in villages and on mountains. If you doubt their help: soon a Dutch travel guide about the Godsweg.
3. Skiing on Monte Cimone
Thanks to the – described above – Apennines there are in Emilia-Romagna 16 ski areas. However, some expectation management is necessary. If you want ski areas with more than a hundred kilometers of slopes, it is better to explore the mountains of the Dolomites to look up. But for snow lovers who want to spend a day or weekend in a small, cozy and child-friendly ski area, skiing in Emilia-Romagna is recommended.
The program ski resort Monte Cimone with its fifty kilometers of slopes, it is the largest in the region. The 13 lifts take you to 1976 meters altitude, from where you can descend on blue, red and black slopes. The slopes are wide and varied and you can discover many sides of the Monte Cimone. The elevators are a bit outdated. However, that is precisely the charm of this area.
Equipment is available for hire and of course you ski even better in the afternoon, when you enjoy a tasty pasta meal at noon. There is no après-ski, but as befits Italy there are good restaurants where it can be quite busy on weekends. There are various accommodation options nearby, so that you can be the first on the slopes in the morning!
4. The most beautiful mosaics of Ravenna
Millions of tiny pieces of rock sparkle everywhere. Blue, green and gold pieces of glass dance around you, forming a 'symphony of colours', as Dante Alighieri in the mosaics of the Basilica San Vitale Ravenna described in the 13th century. The famous Italian poet lived in the former capital of the Western Roman Empire for the last years of his life and was fond of Ravenna's mosaics.
Because not only the octagonal basilica – built in the 6th century from large red terracotta stones – is blessed with these works of art. Also in the mausoleum of Galla Placidia and in the Basilica di Sant'Apollinare you will not get bored of the colorful mosaics that Ravenna owes to the Byzantine artists. Thanks to them, Ravenna now has eight sites that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ravenna tells the story of a city that lived in the past – especially in the 5de century – played a major political role and owes a great cultural heritage to it. Visitors and residents alike can still enjoy Ravenna's Golden Age. Thanks to the colorful mosaics with glittering stones, every church shines.
5. Dozza: one of the most beautiful villages in Italy
As a village in Italy belongs to the prestigious club of Most Beautiful Villages of Italy (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy) expectations are high. The medieval Dozza lives up to these expectations with its steep streets, colorful houses and many murals. The small village towers over the landscape like a fortress with ancient walls.
The high towers and wide moat of La Rocca Castle immediately catch the eye. Here you will find a museum, a huge wine cellar and many rooms that are decorated just as they were centuries ago. However, don't forget to look out through the small windows: because of the high location of the castle and of Dozza itself, you have a beautiful view of the surroundings.
Walking through the cobbled streets and under the ocher yellow porticos, you can wander through medieval Italy in Dozza. However, the murals you see everywhere are a reminder that it was the 21th century. Local artists have made Dozza even more beautiful. Thanks to them, the castle village has become one of the nicest villages in Emilia-Romagna. Correction, from all of Italy.
6. Rimini .'s Cultural Secrets
Roman ruins, city gates and a historic center. You probably do not immediately think of the largest seaside resort of Emilia-Romagna. Perhaps a light will come on when it comes to Federico Fellini's birthplace. Despite the roots of one of Italy's greatest film makers, Rimini is not a city known for culture and history. Rimini keeps that well hidden.
Rimini is often mentioned in the same breath as exam trips, discotheques and many drunken youngsters. That association is not entirely unjustified, but that does not mean that you should leave Rimini on the left – or rather the right – when you are in the area. The beach is full and busy, but you will also find cozy little beach bars here and despite the many foreign tourists, Rimini is truly Italian.
A visit to the city is therefore certainly an experience. Last but not least, a historical experience. The great white church of Tempio Malatestiano, the Bridge of Tiberius and the Arch of Augustus from 27 BC prove this. In short, Rimini is not Rome, but Rimini is certainly more than discotheques and booze.
7. Taste Europe's Capital of Culture 2020
For lovers of cheeses and hams, the city has a magical sound: Parma. After all, we owe this city the delicious chunks of Parmesan cheese – preferably served on a wooden board and with a good glass of wine – and the huge Parma hams that you often see hanging in trattorias. In addition to delicious food and a historical journey of discovery into the origins of these delicacies, Parma is also well worth a visit as a city.
The city – today with 187.000 inhabitants – owes its monuments, beautiful houses and impressive churches to an eventful history and the major political role of the Duchy and the Farnese family in the 16de in 17de century. Parma has a Dutch twist: the current Duke of Parma is Prince Carlos de Bourbon de Parme, the son of Princess Irene (sister of Princess Beatrix).
Walking through the cobbled streets of Parma, you will understand why the city has been named Italy's Capital of Culture for 2020. The The cathedral with its graceful bell tower consists of large creamy white stones in various shades. To the right of the cathedral you can see the soft pink marble of the baptistery. The narrow pillars and small turrets prove that many artists and sculptors have transformed Parma into a beautiful city over the centuries.
8. The Black Gold of Modena
Carefully Franco drops a black, viscous drop onto a spoon. And then one more. The group that has gathered this afternoon in the attic of the tourist office of Modena watches breathlessly. We are surrounded by huge wooden barrels that play an important role in the production process of the best balsamic vinegar in the world. The black gold that we can now taste.
The trebbiano grapes from the Modena area and the twelve-year maturation process – in wooden barrels – have done their job. The soft sweet drops Aceta Balsamic Tradizionale (a protected name) are delicious. Balsamic vinegar is one of the products for which Modena owes its fame and which can be found all over this medieval university town.
But Modena has more to offer: a historic center with a huge cream-colored 13th-century cathedral with countless arches and columns and a town hall with an elegant facade that is beautifully lit at night.
And we're not even talking about it yet the best restaurant in the world which is located in Modena.
9. Cycling through Ferrara
If your neighbors Venice, Verona en Bologna it is not so strange that you are often overlooked. Ferrara can talk about this. That is the secret of the medieval city: it is relatively quiet, not touristy and yet there is much to see. Wander through the narrow streets of the former Jewish ghetto or over the nine-kilometer-long medieval city walls.
It is even more fun – especially as a Dutch person – to take a bicycle. Ferrara is known as the cycling city of Italy because of its flat location. Park your bike to admire the beautiful frescoes of the impressive Castello Estene. The 14th-century castle with its square towers, bridges and moat is located in the middle of the city. Imagine yourself as a lord or princess before you jump on your bike again.
On the last Sunday of May, be sure to cycle to Piazza Ariostea. With its green lawns, many trees and relaxed atmosphere, it looks more like a park than a square. Except that one Sunday in May. Then you will be amazed at the oldest Italian palio: a horse race in which different neighborhoods compete against each other. This medieval spectacle with thousands of frenzied spectators is definitely worth a detour…
10. Attention car enthusiasts!
Finally, Emilia-Romagna is a region where car enthusiasts feel very much at home. Not only because the roads are some of the best in Italy, but mainly because the world knows the flashy models of Ducati, Maserati, Lamborghini en Classic Ferrari for sale thanks to Emilia-Romagna. The manufacturers of the famous Italian motorcycles and sports cars all come from this region. That has led to museums that are a paradise for car enthusiasts.
Enzo Ferrari could not have imagined in 1929 that his name in the 21th century would be such a concept. The founder of the famous racing team came from Modena and near this town – in Maranello to be precise – is today the factory and the grandiose Ferrari Museum. Lamborghini's luxury sports cars are in a museum on the other side of Modena.
Within walking distance of the Ferrari Museum is the Maserati . factory, the third manufacturer in this sports car region. The modern glass building is unfortunately not accessible to visitors, but fans can also indulge themselves in the showroom and the fan shop.
Less interest in museums? On the Imola . race track – west of Modena and Bologna – you can regularly see the racing and sports cars in action.
Would you like to discover the most beautiful places in Emilia-Romagna yourself?
Do you already feel like combining culture, nature, history and good food? To discover all those beautiful places and special landscapes in this relatively unknown region? Then make sure that your next trip to Italy goes to Emilia-Romagna!
Here you will find the best and cheapest accommodations in Emilia-Romagna.
Are you familiar with Emilia-Romagna? What do you think are the most beautiful places in Emilia-Romagna? Leave a comment.
Also watch: the most beautiful places in Italy.
Photos: Merel Diemont
Comments