Ferrara

Emilia-Romagna stretches across northern Italy from the Apennines over the Po Plain to the Adriatic coast; the Po forms its northern border. Along the ancient Roman road Via Emilia, cities like Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna, the region's capital, are strung.To the east, in the Romagna, lie Ravenna with its Byzantine mosaics and the Adriatic beach resorts around Rimini. The region is known for its cuisine, from Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano to balsamic vinegar and egg pasta.

Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and lies on the edge of the Po Plain at the foot of the Apennines. The old town, with its arcades and medieval towers, defines the cityscape. The university, founded in 1088, is considered the oldest continuously operating university, and the city is known for its hearty cuisine.

Modena lies on the southern edge of the Po Valley between Bologna and Parma and has around 184,000 inhabitants. The historic center clusters around Piazza Grande, home to the Romanesque Cathedral and Ghirlandina bell tower, a joint UNESCO World Heritage site since 1997.The city is known for its traditional balsamic vinegar and its automotive connection: Enzo Ferrari was born in Modena, and Maranello, with the Ferrari factory, lies south of the city.

Ravenna is located inland in Romagna and is connected to the Adriatic Sea via the Candiano Canal. In the 5th century, the city was the capital of the Western Roman Empire, then the residence of the Ostrogothic King Theodoric, and the seat of the Byzantine administration in Italy.Dating from this period are churches, baptisteries, and mausoleums with early Christian mosaics; those of San Vitale are among the largest and best-preserved Byzantine mosaics outside Istanbul. Eight of these 5th and 6th-century structures have been UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1996. Additionally, Ravenna is home to the tomb of the poet Dante Alighieri.

Padua is located about 40 kilometers west of Venice and is a lively university city. Its 14th-century fresco cycles, including the Scrovegni Chapel, have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021; the Botanical Garden has held this status since 1997.Art and Pilgrimage DestinationGiotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel are the main draw for many visitors; entry is only possible with a pre-booked ticket. The Basilica di Sant'Antonio, popularly known as “Il Santo,” welcomes millions of pilgrims annually and houses works by Donatello.Squares and MarketsBetween Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta stands the Palazzo della Ragione, on whose ground floor there is a covered food market. Prato della Valle, covering approximately 90,000 square meters, is one of Europe's largest squares.UniversityFounded in 1222, the university continues to shape the city to this day. Galileo Galilei taught here from 1592 to 1610, and in 1678, Elena Cornaro Piscopia earned the first university degree by a woman in Padua.