Explore Italy - Emilia-Romagna Region

The Capital Bologna is a Good Base for Exploration of the Region

Mar 10, 2009 Cathy Smith

Emilia-Romanga has something for everyone: Bologna has the oldest university in Europe, San Marino's the place for tax-free shopping, and Rimini has great beaches.

Under Roman rule Emilia-Romagna flourished and Bologna became a jewel of the Empire. It prospered right through the Middle Ages, helped by its rich aristocratic rulers.

At this time the region was a collection of small city states, each with a fortified town at its head. The capital of the region, Bologna, is home to the oldest university in Europe. Established in 1088, it attracted scholars from across Europe, with such notable alumni as Dante, Petrarch, Bocaccio and Copernicus.

Explore Italy - The Emilia-Romagna Region - Bologna

Any exploration of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region must surely begin with the ancient capital, Bologna. The magnificent central square, the Piazza Maggiore, is the social and political hub of the city, and has been so since the 13th century. In the evening. students from Bologna’s famed university hang out here, often to enjoy concerts and street performers.

The 12th century leaning towers, Garisenda and Asinelli towers, soaring into the sky, are dramatic symbols of the city. The 162-foot Garisenda leans at an angle that makes it too dangerous for climbing, but the Asinelli, over 300 feet high and completed in 1119, is open to anyone willing to climb its 498 steep steps.

Famous for the excellence of its cuisine, Bologna is dubbed ‘Bologna La Grassa’. In other words, ‘Fat City’. This is the birthplace of the world’s most famous meat sauce - Bolognese. Famous also for stuffed pastas and its delicious pork product, mortadella. plus much more. Enjoy!

Emilia-Romagna Region - San Marino

The independent republic of San Marino is the most ancient in Europe and the smallest republic in the world. If you want to shop until you drop, this is the place. It is a tax-free haven, which brings in lots of tourists. It has its own postage stamps and coins, much sort after by collectors, and also has its own military force. There’s an impressive ancient fortress, La Rocca, built on the summit of a hill. You can climb up it from the city centre below. There’s a cafe at the top.

Emilia-Romagna Region - Rimini

Rimini is the Blackpool / Coney Island of the Adriatic and is one of Italy’s most popular beach resorts. It’s a good place for children as it has 15km of fine sandy beach with top-rate bathing facilities and the water is not very deep. The promenade is crammed with restaurants, hotels and nightclubs. There also is a thermal spa, set in a park with heated salt water pools, a beach and a playground.

Rimini is not just seaside and fun. It has an historic city centre which contains part of a 2nd century Roman amphitheater that once held over 10,000 spectators. Piazza Cavour is the main square where people gather to socialize and attend the Wednesday market.

Emilia-Romagna Region - More to see

The above is just a taster of what Emilia-Romagna has to offer. Other places to see are:

Ferrara - One of Italy’s most important Renaissance centres.
Ravenna - Its churches contain the world’s fines collection of Byzatine mosaics.
Brisighella - Known for its fabulous restaurants.

Plus many more.

The copyright of the article Explore Italy - Emilia-Romagna Region in Historical Travel is owned by Cathy Smith. Permission to republish Explore Italy - Emilia-Romagna Region in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Italy - Emelia- Romagna - Bologna Deli.	Italy - Emelia- Romagna - Bologna - Leaning Towers	Italy - Emelia- Romagna - San Marino Fortress
Italy - Emelia-Romagna - Rimini Beach	Italy - Emelia- Romagna - Ferrara Cathedral