To the east of Bologna Via Emilia - running through a series of small towns offers much less curiosities; some of these, like Forli, they are industrialized and mostly post-war, in others, such as Faenza, there are medieval squares, surrounded by towers and embankments; they were born in Roman times, and for long periods of their later history they were under papal authority. The lowlands in the north are intensively cultivated and were at the center of the cooperative movement, which was issued by the present communist local government of the region. In the south there are hilly vineyards and pastures, and the narrow ravines lead to the mountains and to several ski resorts around Monte Fumaiolo (1407 m).
Imola and the Dozzas
Going east, it is worth visiting Fr. 30 km from Bologna IMOLI, a well-known center for the production of machines and ceramic products, on whose streets the San Marino Grand Prix also takes place. It is a nice place with a 13th century castle and several Renaissance gray stone palaces, but it offers nothing extraordinary.
Now a great community center and an art gallery are being built here, until their completion, you can visit the various collections and monuments in the Palazzo dei Musei in via Emilia 80, which, however, is only open on the first and third Sunday of the month (10.00-12.00). If you're fortunate enough to be in town at the right time, the prize is an extensive exhibition of rare plants and beetles, as well as a small gallery with works by local artists from the 15th to the 18th centuries. If you couldn't, there is a good place Osteria Cerchi.
DOZZA is closer to Bologna, but the easiest way to get there is by bus from Imola. It is located on a hill surrounded by vineyards and crowds of people flock here on Sunday afternoons, to wander and admire the kitschy paintings on the houses, created during the Biennale del muro dipinto, taking place in odd years during the first two weeks of September. The annual Sagra deWAlbana festival "in honor" of the aromatic white wine produced in the area is also organized here, but tasting can be done at any time of the year in the enoteca located in the castle. There is also a wine museum there.
Faience
Lying Fr. 16 km from Imola FAENZA gave its name to the faience, which are produced here from 500 years. This style of ornate ceramics reached its zenith in the 15th and 16th centuries. and it is worth coming here, if only because of the huge Museo delle Ceramiche (summer Tue-Sat. 9.30-13.00 i 15.30-18.30, in winter, Tue-Sat. 14.30-17.30, nd. 9.00-13.00). The museum is on the left side of viale Baccarini, walking from the station along Corso D. Baccarini. The huge collections include both early products painted in the characteristic shades of blue and ocher, as well as more colorful faience from later periods, often decorated with portraits and landscapes. There is also a section devoted to ceramics from other regions of the world, including Picasso's ceramic art, Matisse'a i Chagalla.
Faenza is still the seat of one of the leading ceramics schools in Italy, where the techniques of tin glazing introduced in the 14th century are taught. - faience is decorated after glazing, and then covered with one shiny layer of lead glaze. The city is also an important pottery manufacturing center, with small workshops on most side streets; Ask for advice at the Pro Loco office in Piazza del Popolo, where is the best place to buy.
Besides, Faenza is rather common, though the medieval center is quite interesting. The long battlement of Palazzo del Podesta and Piazza del Popolo make up the city's medieval heart, and an arcaded passage leads from here to Piazza Martiri di Liberta, main market square. The fair is held on Tuesdays, Thursday and Saturday mornings, and then the trattorias surrounding the square are filled with customers. You can eat something in Al Moro and Osteria del Mercato, good places frequented by the locals. In the first one, you can also stay overnight.
You will also have fun at the Palio del Niballo (knightly tournament), which takes place on the last two Sundays of July. If you want to spend the night in Faenza, one of the best budget hotels in the city center is Albergo Torricelli, near the train station on Piazzale Cesare Battisti 7 (» 054622287) rooms after 30000 L.
Prol
FORLI, the administrative center of Romagna, is mostly a modern city with office buildings and two-lane streets around the center, but the very heart of the city is interesting and closed to traffic. Benito Mussolini, who was born a few kilometers away in Predappio, he was editor of a newspaper in Forli and spokesman for the radical wing of the socialist party (PSI), before he left the city of St. 1912 r., to edit the Avanti magazine in Milan. There is actually no reason, to stay here overnight, but two museums are worth visiting.
For some reason the city is something of a cinema history center and at the Museo Internazionale del Cinema on viale Liberta 37 (open Wed.. and Thu. 16.00-18.00 and after agreement with the curator; 0543/30521) there are various film memorabilia and exhibitions related to the cinema, and special film screenings are organized. The city is also an important agricultural center in Romagna and at the Museo Archeologico ed Etnografico, Course of the Republic 72 (pn.-pt. 9.00-14.00, nd. 10.00-13.00) gives a good picture of rural life throughout our century.