Faenza
In the heart of Romagna lies Faenza, an art city of Roman origin known worldwide for the production of ceramics and majolica.
The International Museum of Ceramics-MIC houses Italian and international ceramics from all eras alongside Faenza’s Renaissance production. The Pinacoteca Comunale is Faenza’s oldest museum institution and holds one of the most valuable ancient collections in the entire Emilia-Romagna region. The spectacular Piazza houses the Renaissance Cathedral, built to a design by architect Giuliano da Maiano. The neoclassical itinerary features the Masini Municipal Theater, preserved in its original architecture and decorations, as well as Palazzo Milzetti, now the National Museum of the Neoclassical Age in Romagna, a splendid example of an 18th-century aristocratic residence.
The splendors of the Renaissance era are evoked with the Niballo-Palio di Faenza events, which enliven the city throughout the month of June and culminate in the horseback joust in which the 5 Rioni compete in a spectacular contest.
The surrounding hills offer a dense network of itineraries for outdoor enthusiasts: from the Tower of Oriolo and the trails on Dante’s Ways, to the regional park of the Chalk Vein of Romagna, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage Site. Routes that are interwoven with the area’s rich wine and food heritage and excellent wine production such as Romagna Sangiovese DOC, Romagna Albana DOCG and indigenous grape varieties.
DISCOVER FAENZA EVENTS
The excellences of Faenza
Faentina Ceramics
Internationally synonymous with ceramics-Faiance is in fact still the name for majolica in many European languages-whose ancient craft tradition dates back to the 12th century, Faenza reached its heyday in the Renaissance period. Here the art of ceramics has combined the new with the old, and a lively artistic sense can be found in the well over sixty ceramic workshops where artisans and artists produce certified branded objects in shapes and decorations ranging from historical reproductions to artistic experiments. Plates, vases, tankards, tureens and albarellos are now fine souvenirs that figure well in every home.
Romagna Peach and Nectarine IGP
The area is rich in high-quality products such as Pesca di Romagna and Nettarina IGP, apricots and grapes, also organically produced. The peach can be recognized by its velvety epidermis while the nectarine by its smooth or glabrous skin. They can be yellow or white-fleshed, and with excellent sweet and juicy flavor characteristic. Nectarine is also eaten at a less advanced stage of ripening, when the texture is still firm and crisp to the bite, the intense aroma is very important. They are good fresh, in juices, jams or in syrup. Both peaches and nectarines can also be purchased a few days before full ripeness so that they can be stored for longer. An unusual but typical pairing is with Albana spumante di Romagna.
The DOC wines of Faenza
DOC-labeled wines range from Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Pagadebit to the famous sweet Cagnina, and the popular Albana DOCG in dry and passito versions. Accompanying the wines of the area, traditional pasta dishes of hand-pulled pasta and passatelli in broth cannot be missed on the table.
