Emilia Romagna is Italy's gastronomic heartland, stretching from the Apennine Mountains to the Adriatic Sea. Known as the 'Food Valley' for producing Parmigiano-Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar, the region also boasts medieval cities, Ferrari's birthplace, and vibrant beach resorts.
Emilia Romagna's history spans from ancient Etruscan and Celtic settlements through Roman domination, Byzantine imperial capital, medieval communes, Renaissance courts, and Papal States to Italian unification in 1860. The region takes its name from the ancient Via Emilia (built 187 BC) connecting Rimini to Piacenza, and was shaped by powerful dynasties including the Este in Ferrara, the Farnese in Parma, and the Malatestas in Rimini. Byzantine Ravenna served as capital of the Western Roman Empire and left a priceless legacy of UNESCO-listed mosaics.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Emilia Romagna.
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1
Etruscan and Celtic Settlements
Felsina (modern Bologna) was a major Etruscan city; Celtic Boii later settled the Po Valley
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2
Via Emilia Built
Roman consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus constructs the Via Emilia road, connecting Rimini (Ariminum) to Piacenza (Placentia), defining the axis of the future region
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3
Roman Citizenship
Julius Caesar grants Roman citizenship to all Cisalpine Gaul, fully integrating the region into the Roman state
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4
Ravenna Becomes Western Capital
Emperor Honorius moves the Western Roman Empire capital from Milan to Ravenna; the city becomes the most important in the West
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5
Galla Placidia Mosaics
Construction of the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia—the oldest intact mosaics in Ravenna and the Christian world
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6
Byzantine Masterpieces Built
Emperor Justinian builds Basilica di San Vitale and other monuments; Ravenna becomes a showcase of Byzantine art
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7
Bologna University Founded
University of Bologna established—the world's oldest university still in continuous operation; Bologna becomes a center of legal scholarship
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8
Battle of Fossalta
Bologna communes capture Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II's son Enzo at Fossalta; he remains prisoner in Bologna for 23 years
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9
Este Dynasty Consolidates Ferrara
Este family solidifies Renaissance court in Ferrara, making it a center of art, literature, and humanist culture
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10
Ferrara Herculean Addition
Ercole I d'Este commissions the Addizione Erculea—one of Europe's first planned Renaissance urban extensions, doubling the city's size
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11
Farnese in Parma
Pope Paul III creates the Duchy of Parma for his son Pier Luigi Farnese; Farnese patronage transforms Parma's art and architecture
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12
Dante Dies in Ravenna
Dante Alighieri, exiled from Florence, completes the Divine Comedy in Ravenna and dies there; his tomb remains in the city despite Florence's repeated requests
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13
Italian Unification
Emilia Romagna votes to join unified Italy under King Victor Emmanuel II; becomes part of the Kingdom of Italy
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14
Gothic Line and WWII
Emilia Romagna is bisected by the German Gothic Line; heavy fighting and the Marzabotto Massacre (770 civilians killed) mark the region's wartime suffering
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15
Emilia Earthquakes
Devastating earthquakes in May 2012 damage historic buildings in Ferrara, Modena, and surrounding areas; major restoration effort follows
Historical eras
The chapters of Emilia Romagna's past.
Etruscan and Roman Period
Foundation of major settlements along the Po Valley; construction of Via Emilia; Rimini as Roman colony Ariminum
Byzantine Ravenna
Western Roman Empire capital, then Byzantine Exarchate; creation of world's finest Christian mosaics
Medieval Communes
Rise of independent city-states, founding of Bologna University, inter-city conflicts and tower building
Renaissance Courts
Este dynasty in Ferrara, Farnese in Parma, Malatesta in Rimini; patronage of arts and architecture
Historical sites
Places where Emilia Romagna's past comes alive.
Ravenna Early Christian Monuments (UNESCO)
Eight UNESCO World Heritage buildings featuring the world's finest early Christian mosaics: San Vitale, Galla Placidia, Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Battistero Neoniano, Battistero degli Ariani, Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Mausoleo di Teodorico, and the Archiepiscopal Chapel.
Where: Various sites in central Ravenna
Admission: €11.50 combined ticket for 5 monuments; Galla Placidia €2 extra (March-June)
Castello Estense (Este Castle), Ferrara
Imposing moated castle in the heart of Ferrara, built by Niccolò II d'Este in 1385 following a popular revolt. Four towers dominate the city; frescoed interior rooms include the Room of Games and the Hall of the Giants.
Where: Largo Castello, Ferrara
Admission: €10
Marzabotto Etruscan City (Kainua)
One of Italy's best-preserved Etruscan city ruins, featuring a complete orthogonal urban grid with temples, thermal areas, and necropolises. The adjacent museum holds significant Etruscan artifacts. The area is also site of the 1944 Nazi massacre.
Where: Marzabotto, Bologna province
Admission: €5
Tempio Malatestiano, Rimini
Sigismondo Malatesta's unfinished mausoleum-temple designed by Leon Battista Alberti—considered Italy's first Renaissance church. Contains Piero della Francesca's fresco portrait of Sigismondo and a remarkable collection of humanist art.
Where: Via IV Novembre, Rimini
Admission: Free
Arco di Augusto, Rimini
Italy's oldest intact Roman triumphal arch, built to celebrate Emperor Augustus at the junction of the Via Emilia and Via Flaminia—two of ancient Rome's most important roads. Still in excellent condition after 2000+ years.
Where: Via Arco d'Augusto, Rimini
Admission: Free (outdoor)
Palazzo dei Diamanti, Ferrara
Extraordinary Renaissance palace with 8,500 marble blocks carved to resemble diamond points—one of the world's most striking building facades. Built for Sigismondo d'Este; houses the Ferrara civic art collections and major temporary exhibitions.
Where: Corso Ercole I d'Este 21, Ferrara
Admission: €15 for exhibitions
Museums
Curated collections that tell Emilia Romagna's story.
Museo Civico Medievale (Bologna)
Medieval art and archaeology in a 15th-century palace; exceptional bronze collection and arms
Hours: Tue-Fri 10AM-6:30PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-6:30PM
Admission: €6
Pinacoteca Nazionale (Bologna)
Major art gallery with Raphael's Estasi di Santa Cecilia, Giotto, and Emilian masters
Hours: Tue-Sun 9AM-7PM
Admission: €5
Museo Nazionale di Ravenna
Byzantine collections including ivory carvings, mosaics, and medieval artifacts
Hours: Tue-Sun 8:30AM-7:30PM
Admission: €6
Museo Civico di Modena
Este library with illuminated manuscripts and extensive archaeological collections
Hours: Tue-Fri 9AM-12PM, 3PM-6PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-1PM, 3PM-6PM
Admission: €8
Museo della città di Rimini
Rimini city museum with Roman, medieval, and modern collections including a section on Federico Fellini
Hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-7PM
Admission: €8
Palazzo della Pilotta (Parma)
National Gallery, Teatro Farnese, and Palatina Library in the massive Farnese palace
Hours: Tue-Sun 10AM-6:30PM
Admission: €12
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Free tip-based walking tours in Bologna daily at 10:30 AM from Piazza Maggiore; Ravenna mosaic walking tours from tourist office (€15)
Day tours
Full-day historical tours of Ferrara or Ravenna from Bologna from €50-80 per person
Private tours
Private guides available from €100/half day in Bologna, Ravenna, and Ferrara; book through regional tourist boards