Lamone’s city, and Santerno’s, range
Under the lion of the snowy lair, 8
Inconstant partisan, that changeth sides,
Or ever summer yields to winter’s frost.
Dante Alighieri (Inferno, XXVII)

FAENZA is an ancient city of art in Emilia-Romagna, which is traversed by the river Lamone and cut in two parts by the route of the Via Emilia (today is known as Corso Mazzini and Corso Saffi).

Despite its Roman roots, the city features strong Renaissance elements. Moreover, the urban fabric is dotted by some clear references of its old Baroque splendour, as well as of the bourgeois elegance of the Art nouveau.

Despite being a small town of the Romagna, Faenza is famous beyond the Italian borders for the production of CERAMICS. It’s an art and craft tradition started during the Renaissance: the little local workshops have been creating unique pieces for more than five centuries.

It is no surprise that the “maiolica” – the ceramics of Faenza – is called “faience” in most part of the World, and that, right in this city, the MIC – International Museum of Ceramics – hosts the widest collection of the world dedicated to ceramics.

Time has gifted the people of Faenza with a precious artistic and architectural heritage, which visitors can admire strolling around the typical Roman orthogonal streets of the city centre.

The neoclassical façades of the several noble palaces – Palazzo Conti, Palazzo Zanelli, Palazzo Gessi, Casa Morri, Casa Matteucci and Casa Pianipasi – enhance the whole landscape.

The picturesque Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Della Libertà are not far away from these buildings and they represent the beating heart of the civic, religious and social life of the city.

Piazza del Popolo is enclosed within two elegant collonades. It hosts the Palazzo del Podestà and the Palazzo del Comune, which was home of the Manfredis, the noble family that ruled the city during the 14th century.

Piazza Della Libertà is the seat of religious power, hosting the Faenza Cathedral, an imposing renaissance cathedral named after Saint Peter.

Between the two piazzas stand out the monumental Baroque spring made of Istrian stone and bronze and the belfry Torre dell’Orologio, which are the two unquestioned symbols of the city since the 14th century.

The artistic splendour of the past makes Faenza still alive. Several initiatives, all resonating with local culture and tradition, liven up the city centre: the Nott de Bisò and the Palio del Niballo, which involve the five historic districts called “rioni”, are the most characteristic ones.

Other traditional events of the city are the Wam (Festival of Dance, Theater and Performance), the MEI (Independent Music Meeting) and all the events linked to ceramics, such as the “Mondiali Tornianti” – the Potter’s Wheel World Competition, and the street market and exhibition Argillà.

Last but not least are the creative incursions in the city centre by the artists of the collective Distretto A.

Here, as in the rest of Romagna, good cuisine makes your travel experience perfect. Have an “Aperitivo” or a dinner in a typical local “Osteria”, and then choose what to do next: you can dive in the culture going at the historical Masini Theatre, or you can go to one of the traditional cinemas of the centre that, despite fashions, attract people of all ages.

Otherwise, you can choose to go to one of the several clubs of the city and let yourself be carried away by music, laughter and good company.