Northern Italy

Synopsis

Bradt's new Emilia-Romagna is the most thorough and in-depth guide available to this entire north Italian region (not just Bologna and the main cities) with a strong focus on history, background information, art and culture, as well as extensive detail on the Apennines along the Tuscan border, where you can escape the flatlands of the Po and go trekking, cycling and skiing. Here are some of region's prettiest villages, including Vignola, famous for cherries and lovely medieval Castell'Arquato and Brisighella. To the east, the Romagna part of this hyphenated region boasts long sandy Adriatic beaches, wildlife-filled lagoons around the Po Delta, and the world's smallest republic, San Marino. Written by expert authors Dana Facaros and Michael Pauls, possibly the world's most experienced travel writers on Italy, Bradt's Emilia-Romagna is the definitive guide to this diverse and authentic area. Bologna, the regional capital, is covered in detail, from accommodation and restaurants to galleries, museums, shopping and the new FICO Eataly food theme park. Emilia-Romagna combines the rich farmlands of the Po plain with dazzling cities strung like pearls along the straight-as-a-die Via Emilia. The capital, Bologna, home to the world's oldest university, and the smaller cities of Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Piacenza, Ravenna and Rimini are year-round destinations, each strikingly different, each filled with art and architectural masterpieces and fascinating museums housing everything from Etruscan vases to still life by Giorgio Morandi. Ravenna glitters with Byzantine mosaics; Parma, the town of Correggio, is mad about opera; Modena, with its stupendous medieval cathedral, is the hometown of Pavarotti and Ferrari; Ferrara has delightful early Renaissance frescoes; Rimini was immortalised by Fellini in Amarcord. With Bradt's Emilia-Romagna you can discover all of this and more. With 22 town and area maps, plus language, art and architecture glossaries, full practical information and all the background context you could need, Bradt's Emilia-Romagna is the perfect companion for art lovers, food lovers, families taking a beach holiday and city-break enthusiasts of all ages.

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Summary

Chapter 1: Crossroads of Empires

* Summary: Introduces the region of Northern Italy as a crossroads of civilizations and empires, from the Romans to the Habsburgs.
* Real example: The Arch of Augustus in Rimini, a Roman triumphal arch that marked the boundary between Italy and Cisalpine Gaul.

Chapter 2: The Rise of the City-States

* Summary: Explores the emergence of powerful city-states in Northern Italy, including Venice, Genoa, Florence, and Milan.
* Real example: The Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, the former residence of the Medici family and a symbol of Florentine power.

Chapter 3: The Renaissance and Humanism

* Summary: Examines the cultural and artistic explosion of the Renaissance in Northern Italy, with a focus on humanism and the study of classical texts.
* Real example: Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," a masterpiece of Renaissance painting known for its enigmatic smile.

Chapter 4: The Italian Wars

* Summary: Describes the series of wars and conflicts that engulfed Northern Italy in the 15th and 16th centuries, involving foreign powers such as France and Spain.
* Real example: The Battle of Marignano (1515), a decisive victory for the French that established their influence in the region.

Chapter 5: The Habsburg Empire

* Summary: Explores the reign of the Habsburg dynasty over Northern Italy from the 16th to the 18th centuries, and its impact on the region's politics and culture.
* Real example: The Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, the former summer residence of the Habsburg emperors and a symbol of their imperial power.

Chapter 6: The Risorgimento

* Summary: Examines the 19th-century movement for Italian unification, which resulted in the creation of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
* Real example: The Risorgimento Monument in Rome, dedicated to the heroes of Italian unification.

Chapter 7: The Modern Era

* Summary: Traces the industrial development and economic growth of Northern Italy in the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as its role in the European Union.
* Real example: The headquarters of Ferrari in Maranello, a symbol of Italian automotive excellence.

Chapter 8: Art, Architecture, and Food

* Summary: Highlights the rich artistic, architectural, and culinary heritage of Northern Italy, from Gothic cathedrals to Michelin-starred restaurants.
* Real example: The Duomo of Milan, an iconic Gothic masterpiece and one of the largest churches in the world.
* Real example: Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, a world-renowned delicacy produced in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy.