Emilia-Romagna

History

Emilia-Romagna's history stretches back to Roman times, when the Via Aemilia road was constructed in 187 BC, connecting Rimini to Piacenza and giving the region its name. Medieval city-states like Bologna, Ferrara, and Ravenna flourished as major centres of culture and commerce. Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire in its final decades, then the Byzantine Exarchate — its extraordinary mosaic art from this period remains unmatched in Western Europe. During the Renaissance, powerful dynasties such as the Este in Ferrara and the Farnese in Parma produced outstanding courts of art and learning. The region became a stronghold of the Italian left in the 20th century — the 'Red Belt' — and developed a model of cooperative economics and strong municipal government that drove remarkable post-war prosperity. Today it has one of the highest GDPs per capita in Italy and produces a disproportionate share of the country's luxury goods and high-performance cars.

Culture

Emilia-Romagna is considered Italy's culinary heartland, home to Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, mortadella, aceto balsamico di Modena, tagliatelle al ragù, and tortellini. Food is inseparable from local identity, and residents debate recipes with genuine passion. The region also has a strong cooperative and civic tradition, with high social trust and excellent public services. It is also the birthplace of Ferrari, Lamborghini, Ducati, and Maserati — the Motor Valley is a point of fierce local pride. Bologna's university, founded in 1088, is the oldest in the Western world and gives the city a youthful, intellectual energy. The Romagna coast around Rimini and Riccione has a separate, more hedonistic identity built around beach clubs and summer nightlife.

Language

The Emilian-Romagnol dialect group differs noticeably from standard Italian and varies significantly between Bologna, Parma, Ferrara, and Rimini — speakers from different cities can struggle to understand each other in dialect. Emilian dialects are characterised by nasal vowels, dropped final syllables, and German-influenced sounds from centuries of contact with Germanic peoples. Standard Italian is spoken universally. A useful phrase visitors appreciate: 'Dov'è il centro storico?' (Where is the old town?). In Bologna especially, English is widely spoken among younger residents. Greeting with 'Buongiorno' and thanking with 'Grazie mille' is always well received.

Best time to visit

Visit from April to June or September to October for mild weather, fewer crowds, and peak food and wine festivals.

Places to visit

Where to eat