Discovering Italy: Emilia-Romagna, Region Four of Our Weekly Series
Artistic depiction inspired by the Via Emilia and the landscapes of Emilia-Romagna.
Welcome back to our journey through Italy. We’ve explored Sicily, Piedmont and Liguria; now, by Sal’s pick, we arrive at region four: Emilia-Romagna. It’s a place where history, art, memorable food and a welcoming everyday culture meet, and where the map itself tells part of the story.
The region takes its name from two historic areas, Emilia and Romagna. Emilia’s name comes from the Via Aemilia, the Roman road completed in 187 BC that connected Piacenza with Rimini. Many of the region’s best-known cities grew along this route, creating a distinctive line across the landscape. Follow it today and you can trace a journey through centuries of Italian life.
Beyond the familiar: cities worth lingering in
Bologna, the regional capital, makes a natural starting point. Its historic centre invites you to slow down beneath the porticoes, covered walkways that shelter pedestrians and give the city its distinctive rhythm. Twelve groups of Bologna’s porticoes were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. Bologna is also home to the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 and widely cited as the oldest university in continuous operation. Its cultural life is just as notable: the city is a UNESCO Creative City of Music and a UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy.
Artistic depiction of Bologna’s porticoes.
Bologna’s two famous leaning towers, the Asinelli and Garisenda, are among its most recognizable landmarks. And yes, the city’s food is part of its identity, not a footnote. Here, ragù alla bolognese is traditionally served with tagliatelle, and tortellini in brodo is another beloved local dish.
A little farther west, Parma brings together food, music and elegant city life. It is associated with Prosciutto di Parma, a protected-designation dry-cured ham aged for at least 12 months, and Parmigiano Reggiano, a protected-designation cheese made in a defined production area. The Teatro Regio adds a celebrated opera tradition to the mix. Parma is a wonderful reminder that a good itinerary can move from a market or tasting to a performance in the same day.
Modena offers another view of the region: its cathedral and Ghirlandina Tower form part of a UNESCO World Heritage site, while its food traditions include balsamic vinegar. Balsamic Vinegar of Modena has protected geographical indication status; Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena is a separate protected product, aged for many years. Nearby Maranello is Ferrari’s home. The stretch around Bologna and Modena is also known as Motor Valley, with Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese and Ducati in Bologna. If you missed them, our blog has more on Ferrari and Lamborghini. Here, we’ll keep the engines in the background and the region in the foreground.
In Ravenna, history takes a luminous turn. Its Byzantine mosaics (found in eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments, including the Basilica of San Vitale and the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia) are a reason to look up and take your time. Ravenna was a capital city in several periods, including under the Western Roman Empire in the fifth century.
Then there’s Rimini, where Roman-era landmarks such as the Tiberius Bridge stand alongside the Adriatic coast. The city is also the birthplace of film director Federico Fellini. In Faenza, a long tradition of ceramics gave the English word “faience” its name. There’s plenty beyond the major stops, too: the Emilia-Romagna tourism site is a useful starting point for exploring its cities and places.
Food traditions: more than the famous three
Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar may be the best-known ambassadors, but Emilia-Romagna’s table is wonderfully varied. Try mortadella di Bologna, tortellini, lasagne verdi alla bolognese, cappelletti and friggione, a slow-cooked tomato-and-onion preparation associated with Bologna. In the Parma lowlands, look for culatello di Zibello. Along the Romagna coast, piadina romagnola (a thin, flexible flatbread) is a local staple.
Artistic depiction of foods associated with Emilia-Romagna; the arrangement is illustrative.
The details change from town to town, which is part of the pleasure. Pasta shapes, fillings and serving traditions have their own local histories. For more on regional dishes, explore the official Emilia-Romagna Food Valley guide. And if you enjoy a glass with your meal, Lambrusco is a familiar sparkling red from Emilia, while Sangiovese is closely associated with Romagna.
Practical takeaways for planning your visit
A few simple choices can make a first trip feel easier:
- Choose a base. Bologna is a convenient starting point, with high-speed rail connections to cities including Milan, Florence and Rome. The region’s cities are also connected by regional rail. Check current routes and schedules as you plan.
- Think about the season and your priorities. Late spring through early fall is a good time to consider the Romagna coast. Food and city visits can work in many seasons; check opening days and book tastings or special visits ahead where possible.
- Make room for local experiences. Many dairies offer visits related to Parmigiano Reggiano production, and food tours are available around Parma and Modena. Confirm availability directly before you travel.
- Decide how much ground to cover. Driving the Via Emilia from Piacenza to Rimini can be a rewarding route, especially if you want to visit smaller towns along the way. If you prefer trains, plan around the cities served by rail and leave countryside detours for another trip.
For current transport guidance, see the regional tourism site’s how-to-reach page, which covers travel by air, train, car and bus.
A genealogy tip: start with the comune
If Emilia-Romagna is part of your family story, begin by asking older relatives for the name of the comune, the municipality or town, not just the province or region. Family papers, letters, certificates and naturalization documents may hold the clue. Spellings can vary, so keep notes on alternate versions of names and places.
Once you have a likely town, the Italian Ministry of Culture’s Portale Antenati is a valuable place to look for digitized civil records held by State Archives. Parish registers may help with earlier periods or gaps in civil records. If the town is known for a particular local tradition or product, a local historical society may also be able to point you toward relevant resources. Take it one step at a time: finding the right town is often the breakthrough.
Artistic depiction inspired by Ravenna’s Byzantine mosaic heritage.
Stay connected with CIAP
Emilia-Romagna gives us another way to connect with the places, traditions and family histories that shape Italian-American life. CIAP welcomes Italian-American professionals, entrepreneurs, organizations and businesses across Chicagoland. Browse our Business Directory to discover member businesses, or explore membership options if you'd like to become part of the community.
Monthly breakfast meetings resume in January 2027, and our weekly Italian wine features continue. To share a story, ask a question or get in touch with Salvatore, send us an email. We'd be happy to hear from you, and we'll see you on the next stop in Italy. Monthly breakfast meetings are scheduled to resume in January 2027, and our weekly Italian wine features continue. To share a story, ask a question or get in touch with Salvatore, send us an email. We’d be happy to hear from you, and we’ll see you on the next stop in Italy.