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Emilia-Romagna

Population: 3.947.102
Surface (Kmq): 22124
Density (Inhabitants/Kmq.): 179
Main city: Bologna (BO)
Other towns: Ferrara (FE); Forlì-Cesena (FC); Modena (MO); Parma (PR); Piacenza (PC); Ravenna (RA); Reggio Emilia (RE); Rimini (RN).

The region is composed of contrasting landscapes: the endless horizons of the vast plain formed by the River Po; hilly vineyards; steep and lush Apennine cliffs; a lengthy coastline stretching over 120km with velvety beaches, nautical facilities, tourist harbours and fishing villages. And with arguably the finest cuisine in Italy (don't start) you’ll enjoy superb meals wherever you go. Of the towns there are: Ravenna, with its mosaics; Bologna, with porticoes, towers and senatorial palaces; and the dual feel, medieval and Renaissance, of Ferrara. Many wonderful castles and strongholds perch in the mountains and tower in the valleys, and spacious villas rest on the plains. The region is also famous for its spas - true havens of well-being  thanks to the healthy waters flowing down the slopes of the Apennines and along the coasts. Emilia Romagna is also home to Ferrari.


Before the unification of Italy, this region was the heart of the Papal States. For centuries after the fall of Rome though, it was divided among competing dukedoms. During medieval times Emilia-Romagna was a clutch of small city states really, each with a fortified town at its heart. These Renaissance courts were keen patrons of the arts. And these miniature takes on Medici Florence each built their own castles and fortresses. Meanwhile, the fertile and profitable farming land of Emilia-Romagna saw the rise of prosperous towns and hamlets in medieval times. While Tuscany and Umbria have been a magnet for tourists, Emilia has been relatively neglected, and the old villages have been unaffected by modern tourism. Now, many of them are being revived and rebuilt.

As the hyphenated name suggests, Emilia-Romagna includes two distinct areas with Bologna, the region's capital, marking more or less the dividing line. Emilia, with its prosperous provinces lined along its ancient Roman-built Via Emilia, occupies the western sector, while Romagna lies to the east of Bologna and stretches all the way to the Adriatic Sea, the historic town of Ravenna and the well-known resort of Rimini.

Back in the time when agriculture was the main source of business in the area, well-being and wealth were synonymous in the local culture and speech. The fertility of the Emilia-Romagna plains generated riches and strongly influenced the traditions and popular festivals. Nowadays, Emilia-Romagna's cities rank at the top of the national listing for the quality of life with Modena and Reggio Emilia competing at times for the title of Italy's wealthiest city.
Bologna is the oldest European university site and its medical school still draws many international students under her comfortable and reassuring porticos. The Accademia Militare di Modena, or Modena Military Academy, was founded in 1669 by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoia and in 1678 it became the first Institute for Military Training (Istituto di Istruzione Militare) in the world. Today, it still attracts future heads of state and military officers from various parts of the world and the view of a cadetto, dressed in traditional uniform, is a common sight under the porticos of downtown Modena.
Emilia-Romagna has given many remarkable artists and professionals to Italy and the world such as opera stars Luciano Pavarotti and Mirella Freni, composer Giuseppe Verdi, film directors Federico Fellini and Pupi Avati. Fashion guru Giorgio Armani, the amazing painter Ligabue, popular singers Lucio Dalla, Vasco Rossi, Francesco Guccini and Zucchero Fornaciari, and poet Giovanni Pascoli are also from this area. Of course, we must also include Enzo Ferrari and Ferruccio Lamborghini, world famous automobile makers.