The magnificent mosaics of San Vitale in Ravenna, home to exceptional examples of Paleochristian architecture in Emilia-Romagna.
Construction of the Cathedral of Modena began in 1099, resulting in one of the greatest expressions of Romanesque architecture in the Po Valley.
The Baptistery of Parma shows the transition from the Romanesque to the Gothic style, and is considered one of the most important medieval monuments in Europe.
Bologna's landmarks, the Two Towers, were built in the Middle Ages, when the city had more than 100 towers, used by the richest families for defensive purposes and to display their wealth.
The Palazzo Gotico of Piacenza is a remarkable example of civic building, built in the 13th century, when many cities around the region became independent 'Comuni'.
A masterpiece of the Renaissance in the region, the Tempio Malatestiano in Rimini by Leon Battista Alberti shows very well the influence of Classicism, typical of the period.
In Ferrara, a major center of the Renaissance in Emilia-Romagna, the Palazzo dei Diamanti strikes for the exterior wall, where some 8,500 white marble blocks are carved to represent diamonds.
With the establishment of the Duchy of Parma and Piacenza in the 16th century, many ducal palaces and residences were built, including the majestic Palazzo Ducale in Modena.
Emilia-Romagna offers a wealth of architectural masterpieces that may not be as famous as those found in other regions, but are no less beautiful or significant in the history of Italian architecture.
So if art, architecture and history are your thing, write down the names of the buildings in the slideshow below to plan your own ‘Grand Tour’ of Emilia-Romagna’s architectural wonders, spanning several centuries, and the entire region, from Piacenza, in the north-western corner of the region, to Rimini, in the south-eastern end.
