Good wine, hearty food, lovely tunes. Romagna is a place rich in culture: but it's not only all bout food, history and art - it's about music, too!
For this trip, we’re heading to Bassa Romagna. Here, music isn’t just something you hear, it’s part of the local identity. It’s the thread that ties the past to the present, from grand performances to village squares, from the timeless works of great composers to the sound of hand-crafted instruments.
all the places to visit along this itinerary
Fusignano
Fusignano is the birthplace of Arcangelo Corelli, one of the greatest violinists and composers of the Italian Baroque. His legacy is celebrated throughout the town, especially on the façade of the Church of Pio Suffragio, where a bust in his honor can be found. At the Civic Museum, visitors can admire a recent portrait of the composer and explore a rich collection of works that tell the story of the local area.
Curiosity
Fusignano is home to the Mauricette and Primo Contoli Museum, a real gem for anyone passionate about classic cars and motorcycles. Here, you can see rare early 20th-century vehicles, including some that played a key role in Italy’s motor history. The town also hosts the Romagna Air Finders Museum, dedicated to aviation and World War II. It showcases historic aircraft and shares the inspiring stories of pilots and soldiers. A must-see for history buffs and aviation fans!
Lugo
In 1802, a young Gioachino Rossini moved to Lugo with his family, and it was here that he began his musical journey. The Rossini House-Museum is a must-visit, offering a deep dive into the life and works of the composer. Meanwhile, the Church of the Carmine houses the Callido organ, where Rossini once practiced as a boy.
Curiosity
Lugo is also the hometown of Francesco Balilla Pratella, regarded as the father of Futurist music in Italy. The Sala della Musica at the Trisi Library holds rare materials that celebrate Pratella’s contribution to avant-garde music.
Sant'Agata sul Santerno
Sant'Agata sul Santerno is the birthplace of luthier Custode Marcucci, renowned for his skill in crafting cellos and double basses. Unlike many other luthiers, Marcucci was entirely self-taught and achieved extraordinary mastery in his craft. Today, he is honored with a commemorative plaque inside the town hall, a street named after him, and a series of murals on Via Mazzini created by street artist Riccardo Buonafede.
Curiosity
Known for his reserved and quiet nature, Marcucci was ironically nicknamed Urlôn ("shouter" in Romagnolo)!
Bagnacavallo
The Goldoni Theatre in Bagnacavallo is one of the most captivating examples of 19th-century theater architecture in Emilia-Romagna. Built in 1845, the theater is adorned with ceramic medallions featuring some of the greatest composers in music history, and its interior is richly decorated with frescoes and stucco work.
Curiosity
Not only renowned for its beauty, the Goldoni Theatre is also a key hub for contemporary music and dance, hosting festivals and musical events that attract artists from all over Italy.
Bagnara di Romagna
In Bagnara di Romagna, music intertwines with the love story between Pietro Mascagni and Anna Lolli, a passion that profoundly marked the life of the composer of Cavalleria Rusticana. The city's Historical Museum preserves letters, objects, and documents that tell the tale of their romance. Mascagni, who had a deep connection to Bagnara, spent a happy period of his life there, and this bond is celebrated by the local community.
Curiosity
Bagnara di Romagna is a medieval gem, listed among the Most Beautiful Villages of Italy. It is one of the rare examples of a fully preserved medieval castrum, with its defensive system still clearly visible, including the Sforza fortress, the town wall, and the moat. The keep, the central tower of the fortress, is considered one of the finest examples of 15th-century military architecture in Italy and stands as one of the main tourist attractions in the area.