I'd like to inform you and any other visitors that italy its known for Firenze, Venezia and Roma but there are other many important localities as Adriatic Coast where you can travel and discover different history, traditions, cusine and so on....special attention for Romagna and the province of Ravenna with the numerous osterie, discoteque and place of relax - from the sea with its enjoiment to the hill and the countryside...a special attention to you and all italian people that live abroad...to remember our beautiful italy!!
FOLLOWING THE RIVERS SENIO AND LAMONE
Heading from the Ravenna Riviera along Via Emilia towards Bologna you come to Faenza, synonym of ceramics worldwide, with its innumerable crafts workshops and the prestigious International Ceramics Museum. The city centre is characterised by Piazza della Libertà, where the imposing 15th century Cathedral and 17th century Civic Tower dominate the scene, and by the arcaded Piazza del Popolo, overlooked by the Palazzo del Podestà and the Town Hall (formerly the Manfredi family's palace). From the Voltone della Molinella, which crosses the Town Hall, you enter an internal courtyard which houses the Masini Theatre (1780-1788) designed by Giuseppe Pistocchi. The neoclassical Palazzo Milzetti, with interior decoration by Felice Giani, is also by Pistocchi. From Faenza you take state highway SS302 which, following the hill stretch of the river Lamone, leads to Brisighella. The village is overlooked by three rocky peaks on which stand the Fortress, the Clock Tower and the Sanctuary of Monticino. The Carné Park, in the heart of the Chalk Vein, is of great natural value. By way of a beautiful panoramic road from Brisighella you come to the river Senio valley and Riolo Terme. A town of waters and therapeutic springs, Riolo has also preserved its ancient Fortress intact and today it hosts art exhibitions, shows and events. The spa premises are efficient and renowned and include an elegant Art Nouveau pavilion. Going back up the valley on state highway SS306 you come to Casola Valsenio. Before reaching the built-up area you can admire the Valsenio Abbey (XI century) built by the Benedictine, then the Cardello, for centuries their guest-quarters. It was transformed into a stately home by the writer Alfredo Oriani in the 19th century. Just past the Cardello, following the directions for Fontanelice, you pick up the so-named "Lavender Road". This leads to the Medicinal Plant Garden where you will find precious medicinal, cosmetic and aromatic plants.
A glance at the territory
The province of Ravenna runs from the Tuscany- Romagna Apennines across the Po Valley to the Adriatic Sea. The landscape is distinguished by an environmental variety which from the coast - included in the Po Delta Park area, featuring pinewoods, beaches, dunes, marshlands and stretches of fresh and brackish water - stretches over the great plain in market gardens, vineyards and orchards until rising to gentle hills and ridges, erosion furrows, caves and the woodlands of the higher ground. The province of Ravenna is visited by tourists from all over the world for its splendid art cities, its millenary history, the beauty of its landscapes, the precious spa waters and the famous beaches.
Discovering the Province
The variegated landscape and its millennial history are custodians of great traditions such as the art of mosaics in Ravenna, the art of ceramics in Faenza and the salt civilisation of Cervia. Medieval fortresses, Romanesque parish churches, noble palaces, churches, piazzas, oratories and stately villas constitute one of the dominant motifs of the Province's heritage. Bagnacavallo, symbolised by its Piazza Nuova with the beautiful 7th century parish church and the ancient town centre with winding porticoed streets; Lugo with the Rocca Estense and the Pavaglione; Bagnara, a small town on the plain, completely encircled by the Rocca Sforzesca; Alfonsine, birthplace of the poet Vincenzo Monti, preserves the memory of the second world war in the Museo della Battaglia del Senio; Russi boasts monuments such as the Roman Villa (1st century BC); Brisighella and its mediaeval section with the extraordinary Via degli Asini, an elevated, arcaded road; Riolo Terme and its imposing 15th century Fortress; Casola Valsenio, a characteristic village in the centre of the River Senio valley, possesses gems such as the Cardello and the Medicinal Plant Garden.
The beautiful and good
Street markets, shops, galleries and crafts workshops offer mosaic and pottery items in a mixture of ancient and modern, tradition and innovation. Of special interest are the objects made of wood and marshland plants in Villanova di Bagnacavallo. The gastronomic products of the Province are precious: Cervia salt, Brisighella olive oil and the shallots of Riolo Terme have been used over the centuries for cooking, preserving and seasoning. The typical local cuisine of the land and the sea offers cheese "cappelletti", grilled meat, grilled fish and, for the more curious palates, frog and eel.
Ravenna
a world famous city of monuments, renowned for its beautiful mosaics and highly impressive historical places. It is well worth visiting: the San Vitale complex, consisting of the Basilica, the Galla Placidia Mausoleum and the monastery which houses the National Museum; the Arian Baptistery and the Neonian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the Sant'Apollinare Nuovo and Sant'Apollinare in Classe Basilicas, the Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Dantesque area where there is the San Francesco Church and Dante's Tomb, the Archiepiscopal Museum, and the Loggetta Lombardesca, which houses the Municipal Art Gallery.
Bagnacavallo
preserves an ancient historical centre, which is characterized by a unique sinuous structure, porticoed streets and by nobility and religious buildings. The San Pietro in Sylvis Parish Church (VII sec.) is truly magnificent, adorned with splendid XIV Century frescoes in the apse. Another architectural jewel is Piazza Nuova, the square that was the ancient location of fishmongers and butchers; it is porticoed and oval shaped, and dates back to 1758. Other prestigious buildings are: the San Michele Collegiate, the Municipal Tower, the Goldoni Theatre, the San Francesco Monastery. It is well worth visiting the Le Cappuccine cultural centre, the Pantaleone farming estate and, in the locality of Villanova, the Museum of the Marshland Civilisation.
Lugo
is where one of the most ancient markets in Italy is held; its symbol is the Este Fort ress, where you can visit the breathtaking hanging gardens . Opposite is the Pavaglione, an impressive four-sided portico arcaded court, which housed the silk worm market. Also to be admired in the XVIII C. town a re the Rossini Theatre and the Chiesa del Carmine. The Francesco Baracca Museum is of striking interest, and during summer the flourishing flowers blossoming can be enjoyed
Faenza
its name means ceramics in many languages, among which the French fa�ance and the English faience, but Faenza is not only ceramics; its historical centre preserves churches and buildings of inestimable value. Sights to see: the Cathedral designed by Giuliano da Maiano (XV Century), the XVIII Century Palazzo Milzetti, the Masini Theatre, the Chiesa della Commenda and the International Ceramics Museum
Brisighella
proudly displays the charm of its urban layout with the rarity of the ancient Via del Borgo, above ground level and porticoed. It is also known as the Via degli Asini (Street of the Donkeys) because it was travelled along by the herds of donkeys on the way to the chalk quarries. Not to be missed: the Medieval Fortress, the Clock Tower (1290), the Museum of Farming Civilisation, the beautiful IX C. Pieve del Tho, the Carnè Park, and the Tanaccia Grotto.
Alfonsine
is the birthplace of Vincenzo Monti, the supreme representative of neo-classicism in Italy. His house, which has recently been restored, is the visitors' centre for the Alfonsine Nature Reserve; historical interest is vested in the Museum of the Senio Battle, a remembrance of the second devastating world-wide conflict.
Russi
rises up in an area where there was once an ancient settlement, and preserves important monuments, such as the Villa Romana dating back to I Century BC, with precious mosaic work floors, Palazzo San Giacomo, the summer residence of the Rasponi Counts from Ravenna, built at the end of the XVI Century, and the San Pancrazio Parish Church, which is thought to date back to the VIII Century. A visit to the Contemporary Furnishings Museum is not to be missed.
Bagnara
is a small lowland centre entirely encircled by the Rocca Sforzesca (fortress), which boasts a Museum dedicated to Pietro Mascagni, exhibiting a collection of the letters and mementoes of the musician, that remained in Bagnara by the will of Anna Lolli. Just outside the centre, the Villa Morsiani Park houses an international centre for studying and breeding San Bernardo dogs.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
