Things to do in Emilia Romagna: 6 must-see attractions to visit

Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna | Photo © isatz, via Wikimedia

How many stars might be in the sky? Millions? Billions? Well, the little Mausoleum of Galla Placidia in Ravenna counts 570 golden stars, all in mosaic and shining on an intense blue sky with at its centre a big latin cross, the symbol of resurrection.

It was built in the first half of the 5th century A.D. by empress Galla Placidia and it is a unicum in the entire world. In small groups you enter inside and, silently, you admire what heights human mind can reach when it meets infinity.

The complex of Santo Stefano (Bologna) | Photo © Chiari86, via WikiLoveMonuments

According to tradition, everything started with Petronio, the patron saint of Bologna. It was he who started the construction of this complex of churches and sacred buildings (originally seven buildings), that today overlooks the central square Piazza Santo Stefano, being a meeting point for many people of Bologna and tourists alike.

Its story started in the 5th century A.D. and has arrived at the present day with extensions, renovations, changes and transformations. Without any doubt, it is the most suggestive place in Bologna, and maybe also the one with most secrets.

Whether you are worshippers or not, go and let be inspired by the charm that still today enchants anyone who crosses in humble guise its walls.

Ponte di Tiberio, Rimini | Photo @Framor1981

Great emperor Augustus ordered its construction and his heir Tiberius completed it. We are in Rimini, between 14 and 21 A.D., in one of the most flourishing and important Roman colonies in Italy.

This masterpiece was intended to celebrate the greatness of the imperial power and it had a very important practical function: it had to grant a safe passage over the river Marecchia and be a junction and departure point for the main consular streets northbound: Via Aemilia towards Piacenza and Via Popilia towards Adria.

Well, 2000 years have passed and, that bridge with five arches is still staying there, with its Istrian limestone blocks that cover a concrete structure

The geography all around has changed: the Marecchia has been moved, the city got bigger and the big park all around highlights what Palladio took as a model in Europe during the Renaissance, describing it as “the most beautiful and the most worthy of wonder”.

Castello Estense, Ferrara | Photo © Vanni Lazzari, via Wikimedia

Ferrara is its castle, and its castle is Ferrara. There is an essential bond between the two, a tight and unbreakable relationship. If you’d like, we could almost say that it is one of the best brandings that history gave us, almost like Rome and its Colosseum or Paris and its Eiffel Tower.

It was built with the function of a medieval manor house with military functions and it became a reference point in the Renaissance because of the noble family Este, who decided to settle his headquarter in this place.

Today it is entirely visitable and it hosts exhibitions, events, guided tours and performances of all kinds that liven up this piece of history all year round.

Teatro Farnese (Parma) | Photo © Fashion for Travel

A theater strongly desired by Ranuccio I, Duke of Parma and Piacenza, to impress and surprise Cosimo II de ‘Medici, who was awaited in Parma in 1618 on his journey to Milan.
This work, for the purpose it was meant to serve, was maybe excessive, but it gave us this monumental artwork, which is today the focus of complex of Pilotta, the cultural and museum centre in Parma.

After the passage of Cosimo II, the inauguration of the theatre occurred only 10 years later, in 1628, on the occasion of the wedding between Margherita de’ Medici and Duke Odoardo, which culminated with a spectacular scene of naumachy.

Because of the complexity of the stage settings and their costs, the theatre, entirely made of wood and covered with stuccoes, was used only nine times, for ducal weddings or important State visits.

Despite the damages during the Second World War, today you can admire it in all its splendor because it has become the entrance of the National Gallery of Parma.

Castle of Torrechiara, Parma | Photo © Alberto Ghizzi Panizza

Thousands of visitors arrive every year in the region to visit the castles of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza, a network of 14 charming hotels and 32 fortresses and manor houses frescoed and with furniture spread through the two provinces.

Built in different ages, from the Middle Ages to the Belle Époque, they enhance the landscape, which is dotted by imposing buildings requested by great noble families over the centuries.

Torrecchiara, Vigoleno, Bardi, Colorno, Castell’Arquato are only some of the historical and cultural attractions that this territory has to offer. In addition, historical hamlets, museums, nature excursions and, in particular, culinary tradition with its old cellars, cured meat and cheese factories and all the typical workshops and ateliers that make these lands the cradle of good food.