Romagna solatìa, dolce paese cui regnarono Guidi e Malatesta, cui tenne pure il Passator cortese, re della strada, re della foresta. Giovanni Pascoli Map of Bagnacavallo ...................................................... 48 CONTENTS Discovering Bagnara di Romagna................................ 62 Map of Bagnara di Romagna ........................................ 66 Symbols used in the guide................................................ 3 Discovering Conselice ................................................... 70 In the "land in between".................................................... 4 Map of Conselice............................................................. 74 A land without borders..................................................... 6 Discovering Cotignola.................................................... 78 Transport.............................................................................. 7 Map of Cotignola............................................................ 82 Road distances.................................................................... 11 Discovering Fusignano .................................................. 86 Deep historical roots......................................................... 12 Map of Fusignano ........................................................... 90 Famous people.................................................................... 14 Discovering Lugo............................................................. 94 Famous painters.................................................................. 16 Map of Lugo...................................................................... 100 Fertile land for art............................................................... 19 Discovering Massa Lombarda....................................... 114 Reading Bassa Romagna: landscapes of literature...... 20 Map of Massa Lombarda................................................ 118 Listening to Bassa Romagna: landscapes of music...... 22 Discovering Russi ............................................................ 124 Seeing Bassa Romagna: landscapes of cinema.............. 26 Map of Russi ..................................................................... 128 The culture of fine living................................................... 30 Discovering Sant'Agata sul Santerno .......................... 134 A land of passion and competition................................. 32 Map of Sant'Agata sul Santerno.................................... 138 An authentic talent for tourism....................................... 34 Gourmet itineraries......................................................... 142 Tourist Information Centre.............................................. 35 Traditional recipes........................................................... 144 Discovering Alfonsine....................................................... 36 Traditional local produce............................................... 147 Map of Alfonsine................................................................ 40 Arts and craft itineraries ................................................ 150 Discovering Bagnacavallo ................................................ 44 Natural environment itineraries ................................... 154 · CONTENTS · 48 62 66 70 74 78 82 SYMBOLS USED IN THE GUIDE 86 90 : Leisure and culture office 94 : Tourist information centre 100 : General enquiry office for the public 114 118 : Municipal secretary 124 : Weekend 128 : Visits must be booked in advance 134 138 : Places of interest for tourists 142 144 147 150 154 · SYMBOLS USED IN THE GUIDE · in the “land in between” we tried to find an extensive definition for the homes and rural houses. Ancient rural habits are still alive If intense and varied world of Bassa Romagna, we could here, in accordance with nature's cycle of seasons. While describe it as a sort of "land in between" the Adriatic coast strolling around town, it is not unusual to come across and the Apennine. This oasis of peace is full of charm and timeless scenes of life. A group of old and lively card players is surrounded by some of the most beautiful art towns of engrossed in intense competition with their enigmatic faces; the Emilia-Romagna region: Ravenna, ancient capital of a small group of carefree children running around wrapped the Byzantine Empire, Faenza, famous worldwide for its up in their games. It's nice to take a seat at a tavern under the ceramics, Bologna, home to the oldest university in Europe, arcades, in the piazza or in one of the numerous little squares, and Ferrara, cradle of the noble House of Este. Ferrara, and soak up the relaxed atmosphere which is typical of this {04} the neighbouring Po Delta and Ravenna share the honour "small universe" in which the frantic and alienating rhythm of of being UNESCO World Heritage sites. Thanks to its modern life hasn't replaced the unflappable cadence of bicycle favourable position, from here it is easy and quick to get to the pedals. Despite this, locals have embraced the positive aspects vibrant Adriatic Riviera of Romagna, which is, so to speak, of modernity such as cutting-edge farming technology, with "behind the corner". However, Bassa Romagna shouldn't be utmost care for the environment and for the wholesome considered a "land in between" just from the geographical produce of the land. In this part of Romagna the indissoluble point of view. In this wide and fertile plain dotted with relationship between the land and its people is timeless and vegetable gardens, vineyards, orchards and waterways, time utterly authentic. appears to be floating between past and present. In winter The territory's landscape is suspended between the water, the this land is protected by an evocative mist, in summer it is earth and the sky; the eye can find it difficult to wholly grasp nourished by generous sunshine; the line of the horizon is the depth of field of this vast space. In this corner of Italy each only broken by the silhouettes of parish churches, stately season features a variety of different colours in the landscape, · IN THE “LAND IN BETWEEN” · {05} including delicate pastel tones as well as dazzling hues; the result is a natural palette that has caught the imagination of more than a few painters over the centuries. This is the place for rediscovering the art of fine living, as well as the local traditions and highlights. This genuine microcosm entices visitors with its warm character and its informality rather than its formality; here it's easy to feel at home because the second time you’ll visit a place, they will already call you by your name. · in the “land in between” · Unione a land dei Comuni without borders della Bassa Romagna The portion of Romagna known as Bassa Romagna is not MILAN VENICE marked by real geographical boundaries. This area is identified BOLOGNA as the heart of the province of Ravenna, a consortium RAVENNA of municipalities of the following towns: Alfonsine, FORLiÉ RIMINI Bagnacavallo, Bagnara di Romagna, Conselice, Cotignola, {06} FLORENCE Fusignano, Lugo, Massa Lombarda, Russi and Sant'Agata sul Santerno. It stretches across an area of 480 square km and has over 100,000 inhabitants. Bassa Romagna benefits from an excellent transportation system because it's right in the ROM E middle of a wide network of roads and railway tracks. · A LAND WITHOUT BORDERS · lugo alfonsine transport conselice AIRPORTS The nearest airports are: > Bologna - "G. Marconi" Airport {07} www.bologna-airport.it > Rimini - "F. Fellini" Airport massa fusignano www.riminiairport.com lombarda bagnacavallo > Forlì - "L. Ridolfi" Airport sant'agata sul santerno www.forliairport.com bagnara di romagna cotignola russi · TRANSPORT · train www.trenitalia.it Bassa Romagna is crossed by the following railway lines: Useful phone numbers · Bologna - Ravenna 199 892 021 · Rimini - Ravenna 06 3000 (for handsets unable to dial 199 phone numbers) · Ferrara - Venice For purchasing tickets through the automated phone system, and by rail connections for Faenza and Forlì. for information regarding compensation, refunds or claims, The rail network connects the municipalities of Alfonsine, for reservation changes through the automated phone system, Bagnacavallo, Lugo (+ Voltana), Conselice (+ Lavezzola + for timetable information and service updates, to arrange San Patrizio) and Russi. assistance for people with limited mobility. {08} Useful phone numbers Useful phone numbers 892021 199 30 30 60 +39 06 68475475 (for calls from outside Italy) Customer assistance for people with limited mobility. For purchasing tickets, getting information on Frecciarossa and Frecciargento rail services or changing a reservation lfonsine with a customer assistant. A Viale Stazione, 42 To reach the station from the main road SS16 Adriatica, go to the town centre and look out for Viale Stazione; the station is at the bottom of the boulevard and there is a large car park. The station has an automatic ticket machine. · TRANSPORT · Bagnacavallo Conselice Viale della Stazione Via Roma The station is on the main road Strada San Vitale, about 500 The station is very close to the town centre. Tickets can be mt from the town centre and has a large car park. The station purchased from: Tabaccheria G.K., in via Garibaldi 11, has an automatic ticket machine; tickets can be purchased also Tabaccheria Centrale, in via Garibaldi 46, and Tabaccheria from: Hotel Al Flor, in via Chiusa 37 (just few metres from Oltrefumo, in via Puntiroli 43. the station),