Tag: romagna

Forlimpopoli: A Must-Do Day Trip from Bologna – Here’s Why

Nestled in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, Forlimpopoli is an enchanting town brimming with history, culinary traditions, and vibrant culture. Located just an hour from Bologna, it makes for the perfect day trip for those looking to experience the best of Italian gastronomy and heritage. The town’s deep-rooted connection to Pellegrino Artusi, the father of modern Italian cuisine, is a highlight, making it a destination not only for food lovers but for anyone interested in Italy’s rich cultural tapestry.

A Town Steeped in History and Culinary Tradition

Forlimpopoli, located in the province of Forlì-Cesena, is best known for its connection to Pellegrino Artusi. Born here in 1820, Artusi revolutionized Italian home cooking with his seminal work “La Scienza in Cucina e l’Arte di Mangiar Bene” (“Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well”). Artusi’s legacy is woven into the very fabric of Forlimpopoli, with numerous landmarks and events celebrating his contributions to Italian cuisine.

The town itself is a blend of medieval architecture and modern charm. Its historical center is dominated by the impressive Rocca Albornoziana, a 14th-century fortress that overlooks the main square. A walk through Forlimpopoli’s narrow streets reveals a town that has preserved its history while embracing a modern, food-centric identity.

Casa Artusi: The Heart of Italian Home Cooking

At the center of Forlimpopoli’s culinary scene is Casa Artusi, a cultural and gastronomic hub dedicated to the teachings of Pellegrino Artusi. Opened in 2007, Casa Artusi is more than just a museum—it’s a living testament to Italy’s home cooking traditions. The complex includes a cooking school, restaurant, library, and spaces for cultural events, making it a dynamic venue for food lovers from around the world.

The Cooking School at Casa Artusi offers a wide range of courses for both beginners and seasoned cooks. Whether you’re interested in mastering the art of handmade pasta (such as the legendary Sfoglia of Emilia) or learning how to prepare traditional Italian dishes, there’s a class for everyone. One of the school’s most popular offerings is the chance to learn directly from members of the Associazione delle Mariette, a group dedicated to preserving Romagnolo cooking traditions​(More Time to Travel)​(Festa Artusiana).

For those seeking a deeper understanding of Italian culinary culture, the Gastronomic Library at Casa Artusi is a must-visit. Housing rare cookbooks and historical documents, the library offers insights into how Italian home cooking evolved over the centuries. It’s a treasure trove for food historians and curious visitors alike​(Casa Artusi).

Annual Highlight: Festa Artusiana

One of the most compelling reasons to visit Forlimpopoli is the Festa Artusiana, a nine-day festival held every June in honor of Pellegrino Artusi. This food festival transforms the town into a bustling open-air restaurant, with food stalls, pop-up eateries, and performances that celebrate Italy’s culinary heritage. The festival draws over 5,000 visitors each evening, who come to experience the flavors of Artusi’s recipes and the wider Romagnolo tradition​(Festa Artusiana)​(Emilia Romagna Tourism).

During the Festa Artusiana, the streets are renamed after chapters from Artusi’s cookbook, and local chefs and home cooks alike showcase dishes inspired by his recipes. It’s an opportunity to taste everything from piadina romagnola (the region’s signature flatbread) to Mora Romagnola salami and Adriatic seafood prepared alla Artusi. In addition to food, the festival features cooking demonstrations, live music, and cultural performances, making it an immersive experience for all the senses​(Borders Of Adventure).

A Culinary Calendar Full of Events

Even if you miss the Festa Artusiana, Casa Artusi offers a year-round calendar of cooking classes and events. For example, in September 2024, visitors can participate in a three-night workshop on traditional Sfoglia (egg pasta rolled by hand). Other courses include baking gourmet pizzas, a class on the perfect risotto, and workshops for children where they can explore the art of pasta-making​(Casa Artusi).

In October, the focus shifts to the rich flavors of autumn with a course dedicated to game meats and forest products, while in November, participants can learn the secrets of making Romagna’s famous piadina and grilled meats​(Casa Artusi)​(Festa Artusiana). These hands-on experiences offer a rare chance to engage with Italy’s culinary traditions in a meaningful and practical way.

Why Forlimpopoli is the Perfect Day Trip from Bologna

Forlimpopoli’s proximity to Bologna makes it an ideal day trip for anyone looking to explore beyond the city. Just an hour’s drive or a quick train ride, Forlimpopoli offers a slower pace compared to Bologna’s bustling streets, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in both history and gastronomy. The town’s manageable size means you can easily explore its main attractions in a day, from the Rocca Albornoziana to Casa Artusi, while still having time to enjoy a leisurely meal at one of its many restaurants.

Moreover, the culinary experiences offered at Casa Artusi provide an opportunity to learn from some of the best chefs and home cooks in Italy, making it a memorable experience for food enthusiasts. Whether you’re rolling pasta under the guidance of the Mariette or tasting the dishes featured in Artusi’s cookbook, you’ll leave Forlimpopoli with a deeper appreciation for Italian cuisine.

Conclusion

Forlimpopoli is more than just a quaint Italian town—it’s a culinary destination that celebrates the essence of Italian home cooking. A visit to Casa Artusi offers a hands-on experience in one of the most important traditions in Italian culture: the art of eating well. Whether you’re attending the Festa Artusiana or taking part in one of the many cooking classes offered throughout the year, Forlimpopoli promises an enriching and unforgettable day trip from Bologna. For food lovers, history buffs, or anyone looking to experience authentic Italian culture, Forlimpopoli is a must-do destination.

Predappio: a Small Village that Changed Italy Forever.

Predappio is an Italian village in the province of Forlì-Cesena, built up on the hills of the Apennines of Forlì all around a medieval castle and overlooking some smalls residential areas, such as for example, Dovia, where was born in 1883.
Predappio is, as a consequence, very well-known because the fascist dictator transformed and improved the village and today his tomb, which is exactly in the cemetery of San Cassiano, is a real touristic destination.
In parallel, Predappio recalls even the name of Adone Zoli, a very influent catholic anti-fascist, buried in San Cassiano as well, not so far from Mussolini.

In addition to Predappio and Dovia, we know Predappio Nuova and Predappio Alta.
When we talk about Predappio Nuova (New Predappio) we turn back to the 20s, period in which the Duce took the lead on his village and decided for the construction of a new residential area that in practice absorbed his native village, Dovia.
On the contrary, with Predappio Alta (High Predappio) we refer to the medieval hill town that in the meanwhile grew up in population.
It’s 2 kilometers above Predappio and its peculiarities are the fortified castle and the central square. Here you find even the wine museum, where of course you can find the local red wine, San Giovese.

Benito Mussolini’s birthplace in Emilia Romagna.

benitomussolinitomb
San Cassiano cemetery – Mussolini Tomb – source.

 

Needless to say that the historical heritage as well as the main centers of interest of Predappio revolves around the imposing figure of Benito Mussolini: as already said, his tomb is usually the first step when we decide to visit the town. In any case, don’t forget to stop even at the Romanic Church of San Cassiano, that is beside the cemetery and shouldn’t be missed. It’s exactly here that Mussolini has been christened. 

Beautiful as well is Piazza Garibaldi, a semi-circular amphitheatre that can be considered the centre of Predappio. Is above the square that you will find the birthplace and the home where Mussolini spent his childhood.
There you will see a very nice and gorgeous green area where you can stop for a lunch break, a picnic or just a fast nap, that leads to the house, which has been turned into a Documentary Centre.

From Piazza Garibaldi you can find the main streets of the town where you’ll see many buildings such as Palazzo Caproni, Palazzo delle Assicurazioni, the Scuola Elementare and many others that shows you the features of the architecture of well-known architects and townplanners of the time: Di Fausto, Bazzani, Giovannoni, etc…
Furthermore, Piazza Sant’Antonio, still in the centre of Predappio and Scalea Esperanto give you a clear idea of what was the fascist architecture.

It is probably the most majestic and solid building of the village, the renown Casa del Fascio e dell’ospitalità, which represents the political centre as well as the importance that Mussolini reached in the Italian political life: many pilgrims used to visit his birthplace as well as the tomb of his family, so he gave birth to this building to host the wanderers and of course, to represent the nascent fascist regime.
Together with Casa del Fascio, don’t miss the chance to visit Casa dei Sanitari, the Caserma dei Carabinieri and the Basilica of Sant’Antonio.

Connected as well to the life of Mussolini is Rocca delle Camminate, one of the most famous fortresses of Romagna. It rises above Predappio and overlooks the Forlì plain: you can see the tower of the castle from all over the village. Today it’s a property of Forlì-Cesena and we can say that the castle is in state of neglect because of the imminent possibility of collapse, but the park of the fortress is open to public and is not to be missed.
Of course it’s well-know because in 1927 it has been renovated and used as Mussolini summer residence.

Well it is Emilia Romagna, let’s eat!

Last but not least, don’t forget to consecrate some time to your pleasure and entertainment. For what concern the cookery, Predappio is a typical town of Romagna, so you can’t miss the chance to taste a Piadina! It’s some kind of unleavened bread usually filled with Parma ham and mozzarella, but you can put in whatever you like! The same is for the Crescione, similar to Piadina but heavier, full of tomato, mozzarella and potatoes!
You must taste even the typical filled pasta called Cappelletti or Tortelli, as well as the home made Tagliatelle and Strozzapreti with porcini mushrooms or truffle. What’s important is not to forget a glass of SanGiovese!

If you want to know the products and the artistic and natural peculiarities of this beautiful town, you should experience the so called “Strada dei Vini e dei Sapori”, that is to say the itinerary of wines and flavors.

What’s more, if you organize your trip during the summer, and you have the time to go some kilometers far from the centre of the village, in the direction of Premilcuore, you can enjoy the Tontola Beach Centre, with many swimming pools and beaches with parasols and chairs, little tennis fields, beach volley, bar and restaurants.