Emilia–Romagna
We’ve compiled the best of the best in Emilia–Romagna - browse our top choices for the top things to see or do during your stay.
Sort by:
57 Recommendations
{{numTotalPoiResults}} {{ (numTotalPoiResults===1)?'Recommendation':'Recommendations' }}
0 Recommendations
Loading...
-
21. Duomo
Attached like a sinister balcony to the bell tower of Piacenza's 12th-century Duomo is a gabbia (iron cage), where miscreants were incarcerated naked and subjected to the scorn of the crowd in the marketplace below. Inside the cathedral, less evocative but equally impressive medieval stonework decorates the pillars and the crypt, and there are extravagant frescoes in the dome of the cupola begun by Morazzone (1573–1626). Guercino (1591–1666) completed them upon Morazzone's death. If you're feeling strong, you can climb the spiral staircase to the cupola for a closer view. The Duomo can be reached by following Via XX Settembre from Piazza dei Cavalli.
Piazza Duomo 33, Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, 29100, Italy0523-044542Sight Details
Rate Includes: Free; cupola €10 -
22. Duomo
The magnificent Gothic cathedral, a few steps from the Castello Estense, has a three-tier facade of slender arches and beautiful sculptures over the central door. Work began in 1135 and took more than 100 years to complete. The interior was completely remodeled in the 17th century. At the time of writing, the Duomo is undergoing major restoration after the 2012 earthquake: the interior is only partially open with a multimedia display outlining the works.
Piazza della Cattedrale, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, 44100, Italy0532-207449 -
23. Duomo
Begun by the architect Lanfredo in 1099 and consecrated in 1184, the 12th-century Romanesque cathedral has medieval sculptures depicting scenes from Genesis on the facade, but walk around to the Piazza Grande side as well to see the building's marvelous arcading. It's a rare example of a cathedral having more than one principal view. The interior, completely clad in brick, imparts a sober and beautiful feel. An elaborate gallery has scenes of the Passion of Christ carved by Anselmo da Campione and his assistants circa 1160–80. The tomb of San Geminiano is in the crypt. The white-marble bell tower is known as La Torre Ghirlandina (the Little Garland Tower) because of its distinctive weather vane.
-
24. Duomo
The magnificent 12th-century cathedral has two vigilant stone lions standing guard beside the main door; inside is some notable art in styles from medieval to Mannerist. The arch of the entrance is decorated with a delicate frieze of figures representing the months of the year, a motif repeated inside the baptistery. Some of the church's original artwork still survives, notably the simple yet evocative Descent from the Cross, a carving in the right transept by Benedetto Antelami (active 1178–1230), whose masterwork is this cathedral's baptistery. It's an odd juxtaposition to turn from his austere work to the exuberant fresco in the dome, the Assumption of the Virgin by Antonio Allegri, better known to us as Correggio (1494–1534). The fresco was not well received when it was unveiled in 1530. "A mess of frogs' legs," the bishop of Parma is said to have called it. Today Correggio is acclaimed as one of the leading masters of Mannerist painting. The fresco is best viewed when the sun is strong, as this building is not particularly well lit.
-
25. Fontana del Nettuno
Piazza MaggioreSculptor Giambologna's elaborate 1563–66 Baroque fountain and monument to Neptune occupying Piazza Nettuno has been aptly nicknamed "Il Gigante" (The Giant). Its exuberantly sensual mermaids and undraped god of the sea drew fire when it was constructed—but not enough, apparently, to dissuade the populace from using the fountain as a public washing stall for centuries.
Piazza del Nettuno, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40125, Italy -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
26. Le Due Torri
East of Piazza MaggioreTwo landmark medieval towers, mentioned by Dante in The Inferno, stand side by side in the compact Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. Once, every family of importance had a tower as a symbol of prestige and power (and as a potential fortress). Now only 24 remain out of nearly 100 that once presided over the city. Torre Garisenda (late 11th century), which tilts 10 feet off perpendicular, was shortened to 157 feet in the 1300s and is now closed to visitors. Torre degli Asinelli (1119) is 318 feet tall and leans 7½ feet. If you're up to a serious physical challenge—and not claustrophobic—you may want to climb its 498 narrow, wooden steps to get the view over Bologna.
Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40126, Italy051-6583111Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Reservations essential -
27. MAR-Museo Nazionale di Ravenna
Next to the Church of San Vitale and housed in a former Benedictine monastery, the museum contains artifacts from ancient Rome, Byzantine fabrics and carvings, and pieces of early Christian art. The collection is well displayed and artfully lighted. In the first cloister are marvelous Roman tomb slabs from excavations nearby; upstairs, you can see a reconstructed 18th-century pharmacy.
Via San Vitale 17, Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna, 48121, Italy0544-213902Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Closed Mon. -
28. Musei di Palazzo Farnese
The eclectic city-owned museum of Piacenzan art and antiquities is housed in the vast Palazzo Farnese, a monumental palace commissioned by the ruling family that, although construction began in 1558, was never completed as planned. The highlight of the museum's collection is the tiny 2nd-century-BC Etruscan Fegato di Piacenza, a bronze tablet shaped like a fegato (liver), marked with the symbols of the gods of good and ill fortune. The collection also contains Botticelli's beautiful Madonna and Child with St. John the Baptist.
Piazza Cittadella 29, Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna, 29121, Italy0523-492658Sight Details
Rate Includes: €10, Closed Mon. -
29. Museo del Parmigiano Reggiano
The trademark crumbly cheese is the focus of this museum, which is part of the collective known as Musei del Cibo whose goal is to showcase the region's most famous foods. There's a video that demonstrates the process of making Parmigiano-Reggiano and exhibits that explore the history of the cheese. Tastings are also offered, and cheese is available to purchase.
Via Volta 5, Emilia-Romagna, 43019, Italy340-1939057-mobileSight Details
Rate Includes: €5; €12 Musei del Cibo card for all the food museums, Closed weekdays (open by appointment), and Dec. 9–Feb. 28. -
30. Museo del Prosciutto di Parma
Part of the collective known as Musei del Cibo, which works to showcase the region's most famous foods, this museum offers an in-depth look at Italy's most famous cured pork product. It offers tastings, a bit of history on prosciutto, and a tour through the process of making it. A gift shop ensures that you can take some of this marvelous product home.
Via Bocchialini 7, Parma, Emilia-Romagna, 43013, Italy340-1939057-mobileSight Details
Rate Includes: €5; €12 Musei del Cibo card for all the food museums, Closed weekdays (open by appointment only) and Dec. 9–Feb. 28. -
31. Museo della Cattedrale
Some of the original decorations of the town's main church, the former church, and the cloister of San Romano reside in the Museo della Cattedrale, across the piazza from the Duomo. Inside you'll find 22 codices commissioned between 1477 and 1535; early-13th-century sculptures by the Maestro dei Mesi; a mammoth oil on canvas by Cosmè Tura from 1469; and an exquisite Jacopo della Quercia, the Madonna della Melagrana. Although this last work dates from 1403 to 1408, the playful expression on the Christ child seems very 21st century.
Via San Romano 1, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, 44121, Italy0532-761299Sight Details
Rate Includes: €6, Closed Mon. -
32. Museo Enzo Ferrari
The home of the much revered founder of the Ferrari automobile marque, Enzo Ferrari, has been imaginatively enlarged and converted into a museum dedicated to his life and work. Besides the various trophies and engines on display, visitors can view an absorbing video that tells the Ferrari story and see the restored workshop belonging to Enzo's father, Alfredo, and, in a futuristic pavilion built alongside, a grand array of contemporary and vintage cars. A joint ticket is available with the Museo Ferrari in Maranello.
Via Paolo Ferrari 85, Modena, Emilia-Romagna, 41121, Italy059-4397979Sight Details
Rate Includes: €22, combination ticket with Museo Ferrari in Maranello €30 -
33. Museo Ferrari
This museum has become a pilgrimage site for auto enthusiasts. It takes you through the illustrious history of Ferrari, from early 1951 models to the present—the legendary F50 and cars driven by Michael Schumacher in Formula One victories being highlights. You can also take a look at the glamorous life of founder Enzo Ferrari (a re-creation of his office is on-site) and get a glance at the production process.
View Tours and ActivitiesVia Dino Ferrari 43, Maranello, Emilia-Romagna, 41053, Italy0536-949713Sight Details
Rate Includes: €22, combination ticket with Museo Enzo Ferrari in Modena €30 -
34. Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche
One of the largest ceramics museums in the world has a well-labeled, well-lit collection, with objects from the Renaissance among its highlights. Although the emphasis is clearly on local work, the rest of Italy and the globe are also represented. Don't miss the 20th- and 21st-century galleries, which prove that decorative arts often surpass their practical limitations and become genuinely sculptural.
Viale Baccarini 19, Faenza, Emilia-Romagna, 48018, Italy0546-697311Sight Details
Rate Includes: €10, Closed Mon. -
35. Museo Internazionale e Biblioteca della Musica di Bologna
University areaThe music museum in the spectacular Palazzo Aldini-Sanguinetti, with its 17th- and 18th-century frescoes, offers among its exhibits a 1606 harpsichord and a collection of beautiful music manuscripts dating from the 1500s.
Strada Maggiore 34, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40125, Italy051-2757711Sight Details
Rate Includes: €5, Closed Mon. -
36. Museo Nazionale dell’Ebraismo Italiano e della Shoah
The collection of ornate religious objects and multimedia installations at this museum (commonly known as MEIS) bears witness to the long history of the city's Jewish community. This history had its high points—1492, for example, when Ercole I invited the Jews to come over from Spain—and its lows, notably 1627, when Jews were enclosed within the ghetto, where they were forced to live until the advent of a united Italy in 1860. The triangular warren of narrow cobbled streets that made up the ghetto originally extended as far as Corso Giovecca (originally Corso Giudecca, or Ghetto Street). When it was enclosed, the neighborhood was restricted to the area between Via Scienze, Via Contrari, and Via di San Romano. The museum is located about a 15-minute walk from the former Jewish ghetto. Guided tours may be booked in advance by emailing or calling the museum.
Via Piangipane 81, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, 44121, Italy0532-769137Sight Details
Rate Includes: €10, Closed Mon. -
37. Palazzo Comunale
Piazza MaggioreWhen Bologna was an independent city-state, this huge palace dating from the 13th to 15th century was the seat of government—a function it still serves today in a building that is a mélange of styles. Over the door is a statue of Bologna-born Pope Gregory XIII (reigned 1572–85), most famous for reorganizing the calendar. The Collezioni Comunali d'Arte museum exhibits medieval paintings as well as some Renaissance works by Luca Signorelli (circa 1445–1523) and Tintoretto (1518–94).
Piazza Maggiore 6, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40121, Italy051-2193998-Collezioni Comunali d'ArteSight Details
Rate Includes: Collezioni Comunali d\'Arte €6; Sala Borsa free, Collezioni Comunali d\'Arte closed Mon.; Sala Borsa closed Sun. -
38. Palazzo dei Diamanti
Named for the 8,500 small pink-and-white marble pyramids (or "diamonds") that stud its facade, this building was designed to be viewed in perspective—both faces at once—from diagonally across the street. Work began in the 1490s and finished around 1504. Inside the palazzo is the Pinacoteca Nazionale which houses 13th- to 17th-century Ferrarese painting, plus temporary shows.
Corso Ercole I d'Este 21, Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, 44121, Italy0532-244949Sight Details
Rate Includes: €15, Closed Mon. -
39. Palazzo del Podestà
Piazza MaggioreThis classic Renaissance palace facing the Basilica di San Petronio was erected from 1484–94, and attached to it is the soaring Torre dell'Arengo. The bells in the tower have rung whenever the city has celebrated, mourned, or called its citizens to arms. It may not be open to the public, but head under the palazzo's atmospheric vaulted arches to experience the resonant magic of the Voltone del Podestà: whisper into the right-angled brick walls below a saintly statue to communicate with a pal opposite.
Piazza Maggiore 1, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, 40124, Italy -
40. Palazzo Re Enzo
Piazza MaggioreBuilt in 1244, this palace became home to King Enzo of Sardinia, who was imprisoned here in 1249 after he was captured during the fierce battle of Fossalta. He died here 23 years later. The palace has other macabre associations as well: common criminals received last rites in the tiny courtyard chapel before being executed in Piazza Maggiore. The colonnaded courtyard is worth a peek, and its two grand saloni (salons) are used for events including concerts.
-
{{ (numCurrentPage-1)*numPageLimit+index+1 }}.
{{ item.neighborhood }} | {{ item.first_keyword }}{{ item.review }}
{{ item.address }}{{ item.phone[0] }}{{ item.details.title }} Details
{{ item.details.content.toString() }}View Tours and Activities -
Recommended Fodor’s Video
No sights Results
Please try a broader search, or expore these popular suggestions:
There are no results for {{ strDestName }} Sights in the searched map area with the above filters. Please try a different area on the map, or broaden your search with these popular suggestions:
