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Region of Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna
Toasting Castle (Castello di Torrechiaro)

Introduction to Emilia-Romagna

Emilia-Romagna is located in Northern Italy and evolved from the joining of two historic regions: Emilia and Romagna. The capital is Bologna. It has an area of 22,124 square kilometres and about 4.3 million inhabitants. The region is divided into nine provinces: Bologna, Ferrara, Forli-Cesena, Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Ravenna, Reggio Emilia and Rimini. Emilia-Romagna borders Liguria, Piedmont, Lombardia, Veneto, Le Marche and Tuscany.

Nearly half of the region (48%) consists of plains, while 27% is hilly and 25% mountainous. The region lies below the Apennines and the extensive Po River plain, where most of the land is flat. With the exception of the Po, the region’s main rivers descend from the Apennines—among them the Trebbia, Taro, Secchia, Panaro, Reno, Ronco, Montone, and Savio.

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The region is seen as a bridge between two very distinct geographical systems: the continental north and the peninsular south. It marks the division between the colder northern lands (where winter temperatures can drop to -15°C) and the sunnier south (where they can reach 45°C).

A Region of Wealth, Culture, and Innovation

Emilia-Romagna is one of the wealthiest regions in Italy and among the richest and most developed in Europe. Bologna is known for its high quality of life and advanced social services, and it’s home to the oldest university in the Western world. The Renaissance cities of Modena, Parma and Ferrara contribute to the region’s strong cultural reputation.

The region has a large food-processing industry, and livestock and dairy farming are extensive. Emilia-Romagna is also a hub for manufacturing—including cars, farm machinery, pharmaceuticals, and clothing. Large deposits of natural gas and oil near Piacenza are significant for Italy’s economy.

Several world-famous automotive and motorcycle manufacturers are based here: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati. Emilia-Romagna also hosts the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, near Bologna.

The coastline is lively and colourful, home to popular resorts such as Cattolica and Rimini. It features a wide stretch of sandy beaches, nature reserves, lagoons, pine forests, headlands, and lidos.

History: From Ancient Civilisations to Modern Italy

Before Roman times, Emilia-Romagna was part of the Etruscan world, later inhabited by Celtic Gauls. For centuries, it was a vital region for trade and religion, with many monasteries. Between the 9th century BC and Roman colonisation, cities like Cesena, Parma, Piacenza, and Modena began to flourish.

After the fall of the Roman Empire in the 6th century, the area became part of the Lombard kingdom. Charlemagne overthrew the dynasty, and Romagna came under Byzantine rule with Ravenna as its capital. In the 8th century, Charlemagne’s son gave the region to the Pope, placing it under Papal rule for several centuries.

The University of Bologna was established in the 11th century. The Este dynasty rose to power, supporting the arts and leaving a strong creative legacy. The 15th and 16th centuries saw cultural flourishing, producing poets like Ludovico Ariosto and Matteo Maria Boiardo.

In the 1800s, the region came under Napoleon’s rule, then French control. The push for Italian unification had begun, and Emilia officially joined the Kingdom of Italy in 1861. Agriculture was restructured, creating an agricultural proletariat and class conflicts that shaped the region’s identity. Workers' institutions became central to modern Emilia-Romagna.

After World War I, the region experienced social and political unrest, with high levels of violence. World War II brought devastation—Bologna, in particular, suffered severe damage. Yet the region rose again during Italy’s economic miracle, developing a progressive political and social model known as “The Emilian Model.” In 1948, Emilia merged with the newly autonomous Romagna.

Geography and Natural Beauty

The Po Delta is characterised by vast wetlands and rich biodiversity. The region's lower hills give way to the rising Apennines, where elevations can exceed 2,000 metres. The fertile central area produces many of the region’s food staples. In the east, the largely treeless land is cultivated with wheat.

Two important natural heritage sites can be found here: the Tuscan-Emilian Apennine National Park and Casentinesi Forest National Park. These areas protect the natural environment while offering scenic beauty and opportunities for exploration.

The Via Emilia is the region’s ancient artery, stretching 260 km from Piacenza to Rimini. Built by the Roman consul Marcus Aemilius Lepidus, this historic road still exists in parts today and gives the region its name.

Food, Tourism and UNESCO Sites

Tourists flock to Emilia-Romagna for its medieval cities, Byzantine mosaics, Adriatic beaches, and globally celebrated cuisine.

Some of the region’s best-known food exports include:

Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano (from Parma)

Balsamic vinegar (from Modena)

Mortadella Bologna and the original Bolognese sauce

Traditional dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù, lasagne alla Bolognese, and Piadina Romagnola

UNESCO has recognized three sites in Emilia-Romagna:

The Mosaics of Ravenna

The Porticoes of Bologna

The Delizie Estensi (the Este family residences in Ferrara)

These cultural sites underscore the region’s long legacy of art, religion, and architectural achievement.

Today’s Emilia-Romagna

Modern Emilia-Romagna remains politically left-leaning, a trait it has held since World War II. Although there have been proposals to divide Emilia and Romagna or reduce its nine provinces to four, these plans were ultimately abandoned. The region continues to blend historical depth, cultural richness, economic strength, and progressive values.

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More Details

Flag of Emilia-Romagna
Flag of Emilia-Romagna
  • Regional Information

    • Area: 22,124 km²
      Population: 4.2m
      Density: 189/km²
      Capital: Bologna

      National Parks:
      Appennino Tosco-Emiliano
      Foreste Casentinesi, Monte Falterona, Campigna
Location of Emilia-Romagna
Location of Emilia-Romagna
Provinces of Emilia-Romagna
Provinces of Emilia-Romagna
  • Comunes of Emilia-Romagna
    • Bologna

      • Anzola dell’Emilia
        Argelato
        Baricella
        Bazzano
        Bentivoglio
        Bologna
        Borgo Tossignano
        Budrio
        Calderara di Reno
        Camugnano
        Casalecchio di Reno
        Casalfiumanese
        Castel d’Aiano
        Castel del Rio
        Castel di Casio
        Castel Guelfo di Bologna
        Castel Maggiore
        Castel San Pietro Terme
        Castello d’Argile
        Castello di Serravalle
        Castenaso
        Castiglione dei Pepoli
        Crespellano
        Crevalcore
        Dozza
        Fontanelice
        Gaggio Montano
        Galliera
        Granaglione
        Granarolo dell’Emilia
        Grizzana Morandi
        Imola
        Lizzano in Belvedere
        Loiano
        Malalbergo
        Marzabotto
        Medicina
        Minerbio
        Molinella
        Monghidoro
        Monte San Pietro
        Monterenzio
        Monteveglio
        Monzuno
        Mordano
        Ozzano dell’Emilia
        Pianoro
        Pieve di Cento
        Porretta Terme
        Sala Bolognese
        San Benedetto Val di Sambro
        San Giorgio di Piano
        San Giovanni in Persiceto
        San Lazzaro di Savena
        San Pietro in Casale
        Sant’Agata Bolognese
        Sasso Marconi
        Savigno
        Vergato
        Zola Predosa

    • Ferrara
      • Argenta
        Berra
        Bondeno
        Cento
        Codigoro
        Comacchio
        Copparo
        Ferrara
        Formignana
        Goro
        Jolanda di Savoia
        Lagosanto
        Masi Torello
        Massa Fiscaglia
        Mesola
        Migliarino
        Migliaro
        Mirabello
        Ostellato
        Poggio Renatico
        Portomaggiore
        Ro
        Sant’Agostino
        Tresigallo
        Vigarano Mainarda
        Voghiera

    • Forlì-Cesena
      • Bagno di Romagna
        Bertinoro
        Borghi
        Castrocaro Terme e Terra del Sole
        Cesena
        Cesenatico
        Civitella di Romagna
        Dovadola
        Forlì
        Forlimpopoli
        Galeata
        Gambettola
        Gatteo
        Longiano
        Meldola
        Mercato Saraceno
        Modigliana
        Montiano
        Portico e San Benedetto
        Predappio
        Premilcuore
        Rocca San Casciano
        Roncofreddo
        San Mauro Pascoli
        Santa Sofia
        Sarsina
        Savignano sul Rubicone
        Sogliano al Rubicone
        Tredozio
        Verghereto

    • Modena
      • Bastiglia
        Bomporto
        Campogalliano
        Camposanto
        Carpi
        Castelfranco Emilia
        Castelnuovo Rangone
        Castelvetro di Modena
        Cavezzo
        Concordia sulla Secchia
        Fanano
        Finale Emilia
        Fiorano Modenese
        Fiumalbo
        Formigine
        Frassinoro
        Guiglia
        Lama Mocogno
        Maranello
        Marano sul Panaro
        Medolla
        Mirandola
        Modena
        Montecreto
        Montefiorino
        Montese
        Nonantola
        Novi di Modena
        Palagano
        Pavullo nel Frignano
        Pievepelago
        Polinago
        Prignano sulla Secchia
        Ravarino
        Riolunato
        San Cesario sul Panaro
        San Felice sul Panaro
        San Possidonio
        San Prospero
        Sassuolo
        Savignano sul Panaro
        Serramazzoni
        Sestola
        Soliera
        Spilamberto
        Vignola
        Zocca

    • Parma
      • Albareto
        Bardi
        Bedonia
        Berceto
        Bore
        Borgo Val di Taro
        Busseto
        Calestano
        Collecchio
        Colorno
        Compiano
        Corniglio
        Felino
        Fidenza
        Fontanellato
        Fontevivo
        Fornovo di Taro
        Langhirano
        Lesignano de’ Bagni
        Medesano
        Mezzani
        Monchio delle Corti
        Montechiarugolo
        Neviano degli Arduini
        Noceto
        Palanzano
        Parma
        Pellegrino Parmense
        Polesine Parmense
        Roccabianca
        Sala Baganza
        Salsomaggiore Terme
        San Secondo Parmense
        Sissa
        Solignano
        Soragna
        Sorbolo
        Terenzo
        Tizzano Val Parma
        Tornolo
        Torrile
        Traversetolo
        Trecasali
        Valmozzola
        Varano de’ Melegari
        Varsi
        Zibello

    • Piacenza
      • Agazzano
        Alseno
        Besenzone
        Bettola
        Bobbio
        Borgonovo Val Tidone
        Cadeo
        Calendasco
        Caminata
        Caorso
        Carpaneto Piacentino
        Castel San Giovanni
        Castell’Arquato
        Castelvetro Piacentino
        Cerignale
        Coli
        Corte Brugnatella
        Cortemaggiore
        Farini
        Ferriere
        Fiorenzuola d’Arda
        Gazzola
        Gossolengo
        Gragnano Trebbiense
        Gropparello
        Lugagnano Val D’Arda
        Monticelli d’Ongina
        Morfasso
        Nibbiano
        Ottone
        Pecorara
        Piacenza
        Pianello Val Tidone
        Piozzano
        Podenzano
        Ponte dell’Olio
        Pontenure
        Rivergaro
        Rottofreno
        San Giorgio Piacentino
        San Pietro in Cerro
        Sarmato
        Travo
        Vernasca
        Vigolzone
        Villanova sull’Arda
        Zerba
        Ziano Piacentino

    • Ravenna
      • Alfonsine
        Bagnacavallo
        Bagnara di Romagna
        Brisighella
        Casola Valsenio
        Castel Bolognese
        Cervia
        Conselice
        Cotignola
        Faenza
        Fusignano
        Lugo
        Massa Lombarda
        Ravenna
        Riolo Terme
        Russi
        Sant’Agata sul Santerno
        Solarolo

    • Reggio Emilia
      • Albinea
        Bagnolo in Piano
        Baiso
        Bibbiano
        Boretto
        Brescello
        Busana
        Cadelbosco di Sopra
        Campagnola Emilia
        Campegine
        Canossa
        Carpineti
        Casalgrande
        Casina
        Castellarano
        Castelnovo di Sotto
        Castelnovo ne’ Monti
        Cavriago
        Collagna
        Correggio
        Fabbrico
        Gattatico
        Gualtieri
        Guastalla
        Ligonchio
        Luzzara
        Montecchio Emilia
        Novellara
        Poviglio
        Quattro Castella
        Ramiseto
        Reggio Emilia
        Reggiolo
        Rio Saliceto
        Rolo
        Rubiera
        San Martino in Rio
        San Polo d’Enza
        Sant’Ilario d’Enza
        Scandiano
        Toano
        Vetto
        Vezzano sul Crostolo
        Viano
        Villa Minozzo

    • Rimini
      • Bellaria-Igea Marina
        Casteldelci
        Cattolica
        Coriano
        Gemmano
        Maiolo
        Misano Adriatico
        Mondaino
        Monte Colombo
        Montefiore Conca
        Montegridolfo
        Montescudo
        Morciano di Romagna
        Novafeltria
        Pennabilli
        Poggio Berni
        Riccione
        Rimini
        Saludecio
        San Clemente
        San Giovanni in Marignano
        San Leo
        Sant’Agata Feltria
        Santarcangelo di Romagna
        Talamello
        Torriana
        Verucchio
Hotels in Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna Hotels
Emilia-RomagnaWEATHER
Emilia-Romagna Climate (Bologna)
 
High
Low
Sun
Rain
Jan
5
-2
3
43
Feb
8
1
3
45
Mar
13
4
5
60
Apr
18
8
6
67
May
23
12
7
65
Jun
27
16
9
53
Jul
30
18
9
43
Aug
29
18
8
58
Sep
25
15
7
61
Oct
19
10
5
72
Nov
11
4
3
81
Dec
6
0
2
61
Table Key:
High - Average monthly high temperatures
Low - Average monthly low temperatures
Sun - Average hours of sunshine per day
Rain - Average monthly rainfall in mm
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