Homepage EN
Emilia-Romagna. The future is here.
Visit Emilia-Romagna: The Italian Art of Living
Emilia-Romagna is a land where passion, tradition, and excellence converge. Celebrated as a true haven for gourmets, it is home to the world’s finest restaurant and an astonishing 44 PDO and PGI products that have shaped Italy’s culinary identity. Here, every table tells a story, from the delicate art of handmade pasta to the unmistakable aroma of Parmigiano Reggiano and the sparkle of Lambrusco wine.
But Emilia-Romagna is so much more. It is the birthplace of legendary voices and minds—Luciano Pavarotti, Giuseppe Verdi, and Guglielmo Marconi—and the beating heart of Italian style and innovation. Acclaimed film director Federico Fellini was born in Rimini, which inspired some of his most famous films. In its famed Motor Valley, Ferrari, Ducati, Maserati, Pagani, Dallara and Lamborghini roar to life, symbols of Italian design and engineering admired worldwide
At its centre runs the ancient Via Emilia, a road that has, for over two millennia, bound together treasures both natural and cultural. Along its path lie golf courses and ski resorts, Renaissance cities and rejuvenating spas, sacred pilgrim routes and mysterious castles. Beyond, the Romagna Riviera sparkles with golden beaches and family-friendly resorts, offering the perfect balance of relaxation and vitality. Strategically located near Milan, Venice, Florence, and Rome, Emilia-Romagna is a region to be savored and explored in every season.
Beautiful, inspiring, and unforgettable—it is the essence of Italy, ready to welcome you.
As UNESCO Heritage the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna proudly highlights its rich contribution to the global organisation’s mission of preserving and promoting culture, heritage and natural beauty. With several sites and cultural practices recognised by UNESCO in different categories, Emilia-Romagna reaffirms its place as a beacon of historical, artistic and environmental significance.
- Ferrara, city of the Renaissance, and its Po Delta (inscribed in 1995):
The Renaissance city of Ferrara stands as a testament to urban planning innovations during the Renaissance period, designed by rulers from the Este family. The River Po Delta, included in the same designation, showcases the region’s rich natural landscape intertwined with its cultural development.· - Early Christian monuments of Ravenna (inscribed in 1996):
The Basilicas and Baptisteries of Ravenna are renowned for their exquisite mosaics that date back to the early Christian era. These eight buildings reflect the high level of artistic achievement during the 5th and 6th centuries, blending Western and Eastern influences. - Modena’s Cathedral, Torre Civica, and Piazza Grande (inscribed in 1997):
The Cathedral of Modena, with its striking Romanesque architecture, is a masterpiece by architect Lanfranco and sculptor Wiligelmo. Together with the Torre Civica (Ghirlandina) and Piazza Grande, it represents the power and spirituality that defined the city in the Middle Ages. - The Porticoes of Bologna (inscribed in 2021):
A symbol of the city’s civic pride, the Porticoes of Bologna stretch across more than 38.5 miles, connecting urban life with a unique architectural identity. These porticoes are not just functional; they embody the social and cultural fabric of Bologna, allowing public spaces to blend with private life. - Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (inscribed in 2023):
Nestled in the heart of the Apennines, this site has been added to the prestigious UNESCO World Heritage Site list because of the phenomenon of “Karstification in the Evaporites and Caves of the Northern Apennines.”
Emilia-Romagna is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, showcasing the region’s cultural depth and regional diversity. These sites are recognised not only for their historical value but also for their role in shaping global cultural and artistic narratives.
In 2006, Bologna was designated a UNESCO City of Music as part of the Creative Cities Network, acknowledging its deep-rooted musical heritage and the vibrant contemporary music scene. In 2015, Parma was recognised as City of Gastronomy, representing the centre of the “Italian Food Valley.” In 2021, Modena was designated City of Media Arts as the cultural media and creative services industries provide significant employment opportunities throughout the city, across the creative sectors from audiovisual content to graphic design and fashion.
The Appennino Tosco-Emiliano Biosphere Reserve (designated in 2015) straddles the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany regions, safeguarding the biodiversity and natural beauty of this mountainous area. It is a place where sustainable development, conservation and cultural diversity meet, offering a haven for wildlife and a unique landscape for visitors to enjoy.
Part of UNESCO’s Global Geoparks Network, the Parchi Geologici dell'Emilia-Romagna celebrates the geological diversity of the region, from the sandstone cliffs of the Apennines to the marine fossils found in the clay-rich landscapes. These parks promote geological heritage conservation and foster sustainable tourism in harmony with nature.
As UNESCO commemorates 80 years of fostering peace through culture, education and science, Emilia-Romagna continues to be a key player in supporting its mission. With a rich tapestry of UNESCO-recognised sites and cultural traditions, the region exemplifies how heritage, nature and creativity come together to shape a better future.
Why Emilia-Romagna is Called Italy’s “Food Valley”
The northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna is renowned for its rich gastronomic tradition, authenticity, and iconic foods – from Parma ham to traditional balsamic vinegar to fizzy Lambrusco. Emilia-Romagna is the perfect choice for a “slow travel” foodie experience.
Dubbed “Food Valley” because of its world-famous culinary traditions, Emilia-Romagna is best explored on a “slow” trip along the Via Emilia. The Via Emilia is a thousand-year-old Roman road covering 165 miles from Piacenza (west) to Rimini (east) on the Adriatic coast and is described as a “road less travelled” linking lesser-known Italian destinations.
Boasting 44 PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) products, 24 PDO wines, 23 starred restaurants, and 26 food museums dedicated to some of the most well-known treasures in Emilia-Romagna, along with the region's unforgettable gastronomical experiences and unbeatable charm and beauty, it’s no wonder why the Italian region is an unforgettable food valley exploration for all to enjoy.
Following the Via Emilia, the backbone of the Region, any visitor looking for a unique “slow travel” road trip experience in the region must check out these “foodie stops”:
Start along the region’s Riviera coast, in one of Italy’s most-loved family-friendly beach resorts, Rimini. Renowned as the birthplace of acclaimed film director, Federico Fellini, and home to the Federico Fellini International Museum, Rimini is the perfect pit stop for a popular street food flatbread – piadina. Typically sold at red and white striped kiosks, there are over 2,000 stalls along the coast, where foodies can learn about the differences between the thinner piadina riminese and the thicker piadina romagnola.
Continue exploring one of Emilia-Romagna’s charming provinces, Forli-Cesena, known for its stunning scenery from the peaks of the Apennines in Cesena, across wide, sweeping hills within the capital of Forli and down to the coast of Cesenatico. This province is famed for its classic soft cheese with ancient origins, Squacquerone DOP – a perfect spread to accompany the delicious piadina.
Head southwest to Bologna, the vibrant and historical capital of Emilia-Romagna. Commonly known as “La Grassa,” or “The Fat,” thanks to the city’s elite gastronomical scene, Bologna not only is famed for its charming medieval centres, cultural activities, and rolling hills but is also for several foodie festivals. Every visitor must try a “Bolognese style” meal including one of the city’s culinary treasures like tortellini pasta, world-famous ragù, and the traditional mortadella sausage.
The next foodie stop on the Via Emilia is Modena, also known as the “Motor Valley.” The city is the birthplace of iconic motor brands Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini. Along with being renowned for its opera heritage, Modena is home to one of the world’s most esteemed vinegars – balsamic vinegar aka “aceto balsamico tradizionale di Modena.” Here, visitors have the chance to visit the first theme park in Europe dedicated to balsamic vinegar of Modena. “Balsamic Village” covers over 430,000 square feet with 173 acres of vineyards, cellars, paths, and illustrative panels for guests to discover and learn about the traditional production method of Modena’s original product.
A Via Emilia road trip isn’t complete without a stop in one of Emilia-Romagna’s provinces that produces the world-famous, slow-ripened PDO Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. This is one of Italy’s most internationally recognized delicacies and somewhat an institution of the region. Reggio Emilia is also the home of the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium's main office, allowing guests to visit a dairy factory, such as Caseifici Aperti, to absorb, see, and taste the famed cheese wheel.
Currently holding the title of Italian Capital of Culture and Creative City for Food and Wine, the UNESCO-listed city of Parma is known for its rich cultural heritage and remarkable history. Renowned for its music and theatre scenes along with having one of the oldest universities in the world, Parma is a popular destination to stop along the Via Emilia. Parma is home to Alma, the international school of cuisine situated in the magnificent Palazzo Ducale in Colorno, and boasts an array of food museums and Parma ham (Prosciutto di Parma) factories located in the hills of Langhirano, where guests can truly discover the journey of the “food valley.”
Along the final stretch of the ancient Via Emilia lies the quiet but important town of Piacenza, located in the centre of the Padana Valley. Boasting the biggest amount of PDO cured meats, including the three most famous cold cuts (the Salame Piacentino, the Coppa Piacentina, and the Pancetta Piacentina), as well as cheeses and 17 DOC wines in Italy, Piacenza is a must-visit on any visitor’s road trip adventure.
To accompany Emilia-Romagna’s famed cured meats, head across the country along the scenic route to the Renaissance-walled city of Ferrara. It’s not only known for its UNESCO World Heritage status but also for its delicious uniquely shaped Coppia Ferrarese IGP – a type of sourdough bread with a twisted shape.
To finish an unforgettable slow travel experience, head to the city of Ravenna, also known as the “city of mosaics” due to its exquisite collection of Byzantine montages. Ravenna is a treasure chest of art, history, and culture, with eight UNESCO historic buildings. Not only is it home to one the world’s most famous poets, Dante Alighieri, but also the intense and unique flavour of the Extra Virgin Olive Oil DOP Brisighella, the first in Italy to obtain the “protected designation of origin.”
Invest in Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna is the leading region in Italy for innovation, according to the Regional Innovation Scoreboard 2023 (European Commission) and the Transatlantic Subnational Innovation Competitiveness Index 2.0 (ITIF et al., 2023). This achievement reflects our forward-looking approach to future challenges. Sustainability is our top priority, and the Pact for Labour and Climate – signed in 2020 by the region’s main stakeholders – demonstrates our shared vision through to 2030.
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is the main regional cluster – spread all over the region - and supports all the other regional key sectors, especially Agrifood (e.g. agricultural machineries, food packaging); Housing (e.g. machinery for building and ceramics), Health Care (e.g. electro-medical equipment, packaging).
Agri-food
The Emilia-Romagna agri-food system encompasses a unique heritage made of tradition and excellent quality, characterized by an approach strongly oriented towards research and innovation, environmental sustainability and food safety.
Supercomputing
DAMA – Data Manifattura Emilia-Romagna – hosts some of the world’s most powerful HPCs (High Performance Computers), along with numerous research institutions and innovation-driven organizations. Working together, these entities provide both skills and know-how to tackle today’s complex challenges.
Welcome to the Motor Valley: the land where speed was born
6 legendary brands, 4 iconic circuits and 188 racing teams. Along with 8 training institutes of excellence, 13 museums and 18 unique private collections. All of them in one, unique land: Emilia-Romagna.
The passion for racing and motors runs through the veins of Emilia-Romagna. It is the highest concentration of car and motorcycle manufacturers, motor racing tracks, museums and collectors of the planet. This is where the name Motor Valley comes from, and there is no better definition to describe a region historically linked to the production of race cars and motorcycles, which has made speed a way of life. A tradition that is kept alive today thanks to constant research and technological experimentation, and high-level professional and academic courses.
There are just so many places that nurture this passion for motors in the area. From the famous racetracks of Imola and Misano to the factories of famous race car and motorbike brands, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Pagani, Dallara, Ducati, to the museum and collections, such as the museum dedicated to “Sic”, Marco Simoncelli, right up to minimoto, go-kart and motocross tracks.
“You can’t describe the passion, you can only experience it”, so said Enzo Ferrari.
So to truly experience it, Motor Valley offers visitors a series of unforgettable experiences in the most iconic locations of the land of motors: test driving on the racetracks of Emilia-Romagna, guided tours of the museums and factories, the numerous other courses and events on the calendar, just to name a few.
For decades the automotive industry has represented one of the most important industrial sectors of the Emilia-Romagna production system. Brands like Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Ducati, Pagani and Dallara are just the top of a production chain that includes a high number of specialized suppliers, kept together by the search for absolute perfection.
MUNER is the result of the synergy and connection between four Italian universities, renowned for their excellence in training, and the Motor Valley companies, which represent the excellence of Made in Italy throughout the world. Founded in 2017, MUNER has always been strongly supported by the Emilia Romagna Region.
Come and study in the heart of Motor Valley, the land where speed was born.
Follow your path to Emilia-Romagna
Here you can find useful information to relocate in Italy and the best opportunities to study, do research and work in Emilia-Romagna