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Faenza

“Faenza” (Faience) is a synonym for pottery worldwide, but is chiefly a place where the ceramic art has indissolubly linked the new and the antique and where a lively artistic sense is found in the crafts workshops, palazzos and art schools, not to mention tourist and cultural events. Situated on Via Emilia, between sea and hills, halfway between Bologna and Rimini and at the intersection of the road that links Ravenna and Florence, as early as the 14th century the town was an important political and cultural meeting point, thanks to the rule of the Manfredi family who built up strong bonds with Medici Florence and that city’s artistic and cultural environment. In the 16th century Faenza’s artistic and technological abilities in the pottery field became famous throughout Europe: styles and decorations such as bianchi, belle donne and compendiario began to be known beyond the Alps as “faiences”. A widespread culture continued to enlighten the town for centuries and to embellish it with monuments. At the end of the 18th century, the period which art historians call “neoclassical”, the present day face of the town was formed at the hands of the masters Pistocchi, Antolini, Giani and Trentanove. Faenza today retains its ancient flavour intact, suspended between 15th century elegance and a widespread neoclassicism, The urban spaces themselves are masterpieces: the imposing Piazza del Popolo and Piazza della Libertà, where one notes the renaissance division between municipal and religious power; the late 15th century Duomo: the early 17th century monumental Fountain; Palazzo Milzetti (today Museum of the Neoclassical Age in Romagna); the Picture Gallery; the Theatre, the intimate Piazza Nenni or della Molinella, the elegant frescoed palazzos of the historic centre; these alternate with a lively commercial fabric consisting of potters’ workshops, antique dealers, refined boutiques, wine bars and inns. Faenza is sober and elegant, but the tranquillity that reigns does not make it provincial or boring: museums, schools and ceramics institutions attract artists and students from all over the world who often decide, having completed their work or studies, to take up residence in the town, thus fuelling that magic sense of serenity, artistic liveliness and sociability which leaves the visitor with the sensation of a place where the philosophy of living well is cultivated.

Torre di Oriolo - Faenza

The Oriolo zone was already inhabited and cultivated in Roman times, but it became important only during the Middle Ages when it was fortified by the Archbishop of Ravenna. During the Renaissance the fortress was purchased by Carlo II Manfredi, an aristocrat of Faenza, who had it rebuilt in 1476. The result of this reconstruction is still evident: a hexagonal plan tower with two right angles, a feature that makes it unique in Italy. It is 18 metres high and has five floors, of which two are below ground, all joined by a spiral staircase. Inside there are three main halls: the food deposit in the basement, the armoury on the ground floor, at the entrance and the lord of the castle's hall on the upper floor; there are also various firing posts. On the upper floor is the gun powder storage room and the weapons room and finally the terrace or deck, that originally was crenellated and covered. After a period of abandonment and of alternating good and bad fortune that had brought about its decline, in 1823 it was turned into a country residence by the new owners, the Caldesi family. In 1983 Carlo Caldesi donated the fortress and the surrounding area to the Municipality of Faenza.

Museo Internazionale delle ceramihe - Faenza

The International Museum of Ceramics in Faenza represents the greatest collection of ceramics in the world. The culture of ceramics from all over the world is shown in a display spanning centuries. In addition to the wide range of Italian and European ceramics dating from the Renaissance to the present day, visitors can also enjoy the collections of pre-Columbian American and Asian material. Contemporary Italian and International art by the most important artists of the 20th century is also represented.

Botteghe ceramiche - Faenza

60 ceramics workshops spread around the town, where craftspeople and artists produce DOC quality certificated ceramics in forms and decorations that range from reproductions to artistic experimentation. In spring the town shows its finest colours with a packed programme of events: at the MIC there are international exhibitions and, every other year, the international Competition “Premio Faenza”. The best of Faenza production can be seen at the market exhibition Ceramic Summer Planet Faïence in Palazzo delle Esposizioni and every year in Piazza Nenni there is the Pot Thrower’s World Championship in which the best potters from all over the world take up a challenge – in the categories “aesthete” and “technician” – to make the widest plate or the tallest vase.

Palio del Niballo

Cultural events and trade fairs throughout the year, spectacular and sporting events such as the historical revocation of the Palio del Niballo horse-race and the Hundred Kilometres of the Passatore marathon walk, all find their ideal backdrop here. There are elegant shops and, for gastronomie pleasures, fine restaurants both in the centre and in the green and gentle hills that surround the city.

Treno delle Castagne

An itinerary along the "Faentina", the railway line connecting Faenza to Florence. In the section up to Marradi, on the first two Sundays in October, vintage wagons run along the line stopping at Brisighella and Marradi for the Chestnut Folk Festival.Today the “Faentina” is a “minor” railway line of local interest, but with important scenery and tourist motives in addition to historical. The railway line gives direct access to all the towns of the Lamone valley and is not to be ignored for its importance also for touring, as it allows for going and returning from “cross” itineraries, starting from one town and ending up in another. In this case the itinerary is always the same, with stops and possible guided tours of Faenza, Brisighella and Marradi, the three main tourist and cultural interests of the itinerary. The final destination is Marradi, where the traditional Chestnut Folk Festival is held.