BOLOGNA:
the
principal city of the region is in itself a treasure, boasting 38
museums, one for every kilometre of portico. It is a young city -
yet also home to the oldest university in Europe housing churches
and buildings each concealing countless masterpieces such as the churches
of Santo Stefano and San Domenico. Close by you
will find MODENA,
blessed with beautiful piazzas, Romanesque cathedrals and the Estense
Gallery, a true treasure chest of masterpieces from the Emiliana and
Padana painting schools.
FERRARA
is an esoteric city evoked by Carra` and De Chirico. It has been called
the first modern city of Europe, induced by the remains of the elegant
court of the Estensi Princes.
REGGIO
EMILIA,
with its two peoples theatres always announcing the latest forthcoming
shows, is a city which never forgets its past: the Cathedral, the
Romanesque baptistery and the Basilica of San Prospero. PARMA is magical:
it is a delight to lose yourself within the galleried archways of
the baptistery, the domes colourfully decorated with frescoes by Correggio
and Parmegianino and to hear the beautiful opera singing coming from
within the Teatro Regio.
PIACENZA
is the northernmost of the provincial cities and lies between the
river Po and the green Apennine mountains. To this day its magnificent
Dome, in the mediaeval centre of the city, is perfectly preserved.
FAENZA
is the capital of ceramic artistry the Faence.
FORLI
boasts the church of San Mercuriale, a Romanesque building whose mighty
bell tower stretches upwards virtually touching the sky, providing
all onlookers a truly powerful and majestic sight.
CESENA
a lively and vibrant city with an immaculately preserved ancient city
centre. The humanist ideals of the once ruling Malatesta family, flourishes
even today within the walls of the Malatestiana Library, a temple
of knowledge and guardian of valuable illuminated manuscripts.
RAVENNA
is
the city of Byzantine gold, which sparkles in the mosaic patterns
in the mausoleums and basilicas. Finally,
RIMINI
with its long, wide sandy beaches, fashionable haunts and a Fellini
like atmosphere. But scratch a little beneath the surface and you
will find traces of ancient Roman Empire and masterpieces of the Italian
Renaissance.