A Journey Through Emilia-Romagna: The Heart of Italy

Emilia-Romagna, located in the heart of northern Italy, enchants visitors with its mix of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, vibrant culture, and exquisite cuisine. Covering an area of about 22,446 square kilometers, it is one of the most prosperous and dynamic regions in the country.

The very name Emilia-Romagna reflects the fusion of two ancient Roman roads that crossed the region: the Via Aemilia and the Via Emilia. This land is a treasure trove of artistic and architectural wonders, with art cities such as Bologna (the regional capital), Ferrara, Modena, Parma, and Ravenna capturing visitors’ attention with majestic monuments, elegant squares, and cobbled streets.

The region is renowned for having been the cradle of great historical figures, from artists to composers, such as the famous Renaissance painter Parmigianino and the composer Giuseppe Verdi. Its cultural heritage is still alive today, with music, theatre, and film festivals that bring its cities to life all year round.

But Emilia-Romagna is also a land of fascinating landscape contrasts. To the north stretches the Po Valley, a vast expanse of fertile fields, interrupted only by the gentle hills of Reggio Emilia and Modena. Toward the south, the scenery turns into rolling hills covered with vineyards, producing some of Italy’s finest wines, such as Lambrusco and Sangiovese.

And you can’t talk about Emilia-Romagna without mentioning its cuisine, famous all over the world. From Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma to tortellini, tagliatelle, and ragù alla bolognese, every dish is a tribute to local culinary tradition and a true passion for authentic flavours.

In short, Emilia-Romagna is a region that enchants the senses and nourishes the soul with its beauty, history, and cuisine. With such a wealth of experiences to offer, it is a destination that never disappoints, welcoming visitors with warmth and authenticity.

Historical Overview of One of Italy’s Most Beautiful Regions

The history of Emilia-Romagna tells of two historical and geographical realities, sometimes distinct and sometimes intertwined. The main Italic populations that settled in Emilia were the Celts and the Etruscans, while in Romagna there were also the Umbrians, alongside the Etruscans. The link between these two areas became stronger when they were conquered by Celtic tribes coming from northern Europe, including the Lingones, the Senone Gauls, and the Boii Gauls, which led to the formation of Cisalpine Gaul, followed by Roman conquest and later Lombard rule.

Subsequently, the destinies of the two regions diverged: Emilia fell under communal and ducal authority, while Romagna was subject to papal theocratic rule. During this period, the entire area became the stage of violent conflicts between Guelphs and Ghibellines.

The hinterland of Emilia-Romagna preserves numerous treasures from the age of the duchies, with a network of castles scattered across the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, tangible evidence of a glorious past marked by ancient residences, villas, fortresses, and strongholds.

The establishment of the University of Bologna marked a significant milestone for the region, as it is one of the most prestigious universities in Italy and Europe, and considered the oldest university in the Western world.

Finally, Emilia and Romagna joined the new Italian state thanks to the action of Carlo Farini, who annexed them to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which later became the Kingdom of Italy.

What to Do in Emilia-Romagna? Visit the 24 Museums of Taste!

A city of aristocratic cultural and musical traditions, rich in monuments and precious works of art, Parma is also the capital of good taste and fine food. Here, the glorious products of the Parmense countryside — Parmigiano Reggiano, pasta, tomatoes, Colli wines, Prosciutto di Parma, Culatello di Zibello, and Borgotaro Porcini mushrooms — find a privileged place of storytelling, promotion, and celebration in the Museums of Food.

The Museums of Food of the Province of Parma — integrated into the regional and national museum system — form a circuit dedicated to the typical products of the Parma area, a project aimed at conserving and promoting food and wine traditions that have now become national heritage.

They include:

• the Parmigiano Reggiano Museum in Soragna
• the Pasta Museum and the Tomato Museum in Collecchio
• the Salami Museum in Felino
• the Wine Museum in Sala Baganza
• the Prosciutto di Parma Museum in Langhirano
• the Culatello Museum in Polesine
• and the Porcini Mushroom Museum in Borgotaro

As early as Roman times, cured hams from the Parma area were highly sought-after and appreciated in the imperial capital; in the early Middle Ages, Benedictine monks refined the production process of the cheese, still used today. In the 17th century, the Farnese dukes enjoyed Borgotaro Porcini mushrooms at their banquets.

In the 19th century, Parma developed a powerful food industry dedicated to tomato processing, which in turn encouraged the growth of local mechanical companies and the creation of Italy’s largest narrow-gauge steam tram network — 177 kilometers of tracks connecting major production sites to the provincial capital, the national railway network, and the river port on the Po.

In 1877, Barilla began its journey as a modest shop; today it is a world leader in pasta and one of Europe’s top bakery producers. In the 20th century, the city saw the birth of the Experimental Station for Canned Foods, the Canned Foods Exhibition (forerunner of today’s Cibus), and the consortia for the protection of typical products (Parmigiano, Prosciutto, Culatello, wines, mushrooms).

Such a deeply rooted product culture was not immediately perceivable to tourists and visitors, who, judging from the quality of these products, “expected” to see their importance represented more visibly in the local area and to “sense” it at the moment of consumption, wherever that might be.

Aware of this, as early as 2000 the Province of Parma, through the Departments of Agriculture, Productive Activities, and Tourism, launched the “Museums of Food of the Province of Parma” project to enhance typical and high-quality local products in various locations throughout the province.

In Soragna, in the lower Parma area between the Via Emilia and the Po, along the Castles Road and just a breath away from the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi, the splendid 19th-century dairy “casello” owned by the Meli-Lupi princes was restored for exhibition purposes — practically a museum of itself — and inaugurated on 30 November 2003.

In Langhirano, cradle of Prosciutto di Parma, the former Foro Boario, a vast stone-and-brick arcaded building owned by the municipality and long abandoned, was repurposed to host the Prosciutto and Cured Meats Museum, inaugurated on 2 May 2004. Just 5 km away stands the extraordinary 15th-century Castle of Torrechiara, the Benedictine Abbey, and the foothill road featuring the Magnani Rocca Foundation (with works by Dürer, Titian, Goya, Beato Angelico, Monet, Morandi, and others).

On 30 October 2004, the Felino Salami Museum opened, dedicated to this typical local product and supported by the municipal administration. It is housed in the splendid cellars of the 14th-century castle, privately owned and home to a charming restaurant, perched on the first hills of the Apennines between the Parma and Baganza valleys.

Along the banks of the Taro River, near Collecchio, lies the beautiful Corte di Giarola, a historic Benedictine grange dating back to the year 1000, located along the Via Francigena. Originally an agricultural production center with stables, dairy, pig farms, and an 19th-century tomato canning factory, it is now the educational headquarters of the Taro River Park. One wing of the complex was chosen to host the Tomato Museum (opened on 25 September 2010) and the Pasta Museum (opened on 10 May 2014).

In 2013, restoration work began on the cellars of the Rocca di Sala Baganza, selected to host the “Wine Cellar of the Museums of Food”, dedicated to Parma wines and opened to the public on 17 May 2014.

In 2012, the Agorà Orsi Coppini Museum dedicated to olive oil joined the circuit, and in March 2018, the Culatello Museum opened at Antica Corte Pallavicina in Polesine. Its exhibition path tells the story of oak trees and pigs, of the Spigaroli pork butchers who served Maestro Giuseppe Verdi, and ends in the hypogean galleries where the culatelli mature, filling the air with an unforgettable aroma.

On 17 September 2022, an “enchanted forest” was inaugurated in Borgo Val di Taro, where visitors can discover the nature, history, gastronomy, art, culture, and processing techniques of Europe’s only PGI-certified mushroom.

The site in Albareto instead explores habitats, wildlife, and mysterious, fantastical mushrooms.

Over time, the Food Museums circuit has become an important point of reference for food and wine tourism, welcoming schools, specialist media, and industrial delegations, and significantly helping to make food production a tourist resource as well.

This city, renowned for its culinary excellence, has been awarded the title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, confirming its status as a premier culinary center.

Today, 4,215 products are on display and, since the opening of the first museum in 2003, the Food Museums circuit has welcomed over 305,000 visitors.

What to Do in Emilia-Romagna? Visit the Historic Thermal Baths!

The practice of using the healing properties of thermal waters has deep roots in the past. Since the early 19th century, this ancient tradition has given rise to several thermal establishments of great artistic and architectural value, built in the characteristic styles of their periods. Today, these facilities are still operating, serving as both historical treasures and places of well-being. Here are the five historic thermal baths of Emilia-Romagna:

• The Salsomaggiore thermal baths are housed within the fascinating Palazzo Berzieri, a Liberty-style jewel in the Parma hinterland. This majestic building, inaugurated in 1923, owes its magnificence to the talent of ceramist, painter, and decorator Galileo Chini. His artistic signature is evident in the decoration of both the façade and interiors, enriched by elegant Art Nouveau motifs and oriental influences inspired by his experience at the court of the King of Siam in Bangkok.
• The Sant’Andrea thermal baths arose at the end of the 19th century, nestled among the Parma hills in Sant’Andrea Bagni, a hamlet of Medesano. The accidental discovery of thermal springs in the area led to the creation of this renowned establishment, famous for its eight different waters with distinct chemical compositions and therapeutic properties.
• The Salvarola thermal baths, in the Sassuolo area, boast a history dating back to the Middle Ages, when their healing waters were already known to Matilda of Canossa. In 1910, the elegant Liberty-style building that now houses the baths was constructed, making it the only thermal station in the province of Modena.
• The Riolo thermal baths, located between Imola and Faenza, have been famous since the Renaissance for their curative properties. The current establishment, built in 1877, still preserves elegant Liberty-style pavilions surrounded by a charming century-old park once frequented by illustrious figures such as Lord Byron and Joachim Murat.
• Finally, the Castrocaro thermal baths, nestled in the hills near Forlì, were discovered in 1838. Their great success led to the construction of a thermal establishment in 1844, later expanded at the beginning of the 20th century. The imposing Padiglione delle Feste, inaugurated in 1938, is a superb example of Liberty style harmoniously blended with Rationalist architectural elements of the period.

What to Do in Emilia-Romagna? 7 Must-See Stops!

An unmissable stop on your trip is the Riviera Romagnola, a stretch of Adriatic coastline that extends for 91 kilometers, offering a wide range of options for seaside holidays, relaxation, and fun. From Riccione to Milano Marittima, from Cervia to Cesenatico, up to Gabicce Mare and the famous Rimini, you’ll be spoilt for choice among the many renowned beach resorts.

If you’ve chosen Rimini, the symbolic city of the Riviera and birthplace of film director Federico Fellini, you can’t miss Italia in Miniatura, a fascinating theme park that presents a miniature version of the Bel Paese.

Another essential stop, especially for families with children, is Mirabilandia, one of Italy’s most beloved theme parks. It also includes a water park area and is located near Ravenna. Don’t forget to make a brief stop at Lido di Classe, a welcoming resort with many beaches equipped even for four-legged friends.

For those who love immersing themselves in history and medieval atmospheres, Bobbio is the ideal choice — an enchanting village in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in the province of Piacenza. Famous for its ancient walls and the evocative Devil’s Bridge crossing the Trebbia River, Bobbio is considered one of the most beautiful villages in the region.

For a moment of pure relaxation, the Tabiano thermal baths, in the province of Parma, offer a regenerating break for the whole family thanks to the healing properties of their sulfurous waters.

Your final destination could be the Po Delta Park, a natural oasis of green pine forests, lush woods, rich flora and fauna, and rivers winding their way to the Adriatic, offering an immersive experience in unspoiled nature.

The most curious travelers will appreciate Comacchio, known as the “little Venice” of the Po Delta, an enchanting lagoon town, and Brisighella, a medieval village in the province of Ravenna particularly committed to sustainable tourism. Far from mass tourism yet surprisingly beautiful is also Bagno di Romagna, a medieval village much loved by cyclists and motorcyclists for its scenic routes and breathtaking views.

What to Do in Emilia-Romagna? Food and Wine!

Cheese dairies, ham producers, and vinegar cellars organize guided tours to showcase the entire production process from start to finish, often allowing visitors to watch different stages of the work. These experiences always end with an essential tasting of freshly made products, which can also be purchased on site. You can book visits at member companies throughout the year, or join those organized during themed festivals that usually take place after summer, such as Acetaie Aperte, Caseifici Aperti, and the Festival del Prosciutto di Parma.

From Parma to Colorno, there is an itinerary along the Po River, also suitable for cycling, that winds through nature and castles, leading to the homeland of the prestigious Culatello di Zibello. The heart of the route is the historic village of Polesine Parmense, where the restaurant Antica Corte Pallavicina houses the Museum of Culatello and Masalén, which recounts its tradition and precise tasting rituals, and invites visitors into the spectacular 14th-century aging cellars. The experience ends with a final tasting and the opportunity to visit the adjoining free-range farm of the ancient and prestigious Black Pig of Parma.

The food and wine tradition of this area is truly unique, rich in genuine and seductive flavours. Among the typical Emilian products not to be missed are Parmigiano Reggiano and Grana Padano, two hard cheeses that are key ingredients in many traditional Italian dishes and can be enjoyed both in chunks and grated.

Also highly prized is Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO, a condiment obtained from the long aging of cooked must from typical Modena grapes in small barrels. Other symbols of the area include Mortadella Bologna, a pork-based cured meat with a unique aroma, and the cherries of Vignola, a very popular variety.

In short, Emilia-Romagna is a region you simply cannot skip!

Find out everything you want by visiting the official Emilia-Romagna Tourism website!

Photo credits: Luca Rossi