Journey through the mesmerizing expanse between Florence and Bologna, embracing the legendary Romagna region. Here lies the Appennino Tosco-Emiliano, a rugged terrain sculpted by nature, adorned with peaks and valleys.
Marco Pantani, the cycling champion, roamed these paths, etching his legacy into the slopes that boast epic climbs and panoramic vistas. It's a pilgrimage through cycling history amidst the breathtaking landscapes of the Apennines.
Facts
History
Dating back to prehistoric civilizations, Emilia-Romagna was under the same rulers as Tuscany during the Roman Empire. Bologna, home to notable medieval and Renaissance architecture, hosts the oldest university in Europe and one of the best cuisines in the world. Florence, Tuscany’s gem, boasts masterpieces like Michelangelo's David and Brunelleschi's Duomo.
Cycling
The Nove Colli in Emilia-Romagna is one of the world's oldest and most challenging gran fondo races. Tuscany hosts the famous Eroica, a vintage bike race celebrating cycling's heritage on gravel roads amidst stunning landscapes. A region which has fostered a lineage of cycling champions like Marco Pantani, Davide Cassani, Paolo Bettini, Mario Cipollini, Learco Guerra, and Gino Bartali.
Climate
United by the Apennines, the Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany are famous for their microclimates. However, temperatures are generally mild in the winters and warm to hot in the summers. It may happen to have cooler temperatures in higher altitudes compared to the lower-lying areas.
Terrain
The region offers a diverse tapestry of landscapes, from the Adriatic coast's sandy beaches to the Apennine Mountains' rugged beauty, on one end, rolling hills adorned with vineyards and olive groves, complemented by cypress-lined roads, all underpinned by historic cities, on the other end. A visual feast for travellers.
Points of interest
Dozza
Considered one of the most beautiful medieval hamlets in Italy, it hosts the Rocca Sforzesca. The walls of many houses in the town are adorned with vibrant and artistic murals, creating an open-air art gallery known as the "Biennale del Muro Dipinto" (Biennial of the Painted Wall).
Guglielmo Marconi
Bologna is the birthplace of Guglielmo Marconi who pioneered the development and implementation of wireless telegraphy and radio communication. He earned the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1909 and became one of the key figures in the history of modern telecommunications.
The Gothic Line
The last German defensive fortification in World War II. It was a formidable line of bunkers, trenches, and obstacles intended to impede the Allied advance towards Germany stretching from the Adriatic Sea to the Apennine Mountains. It was eventually breached by Allied forces in 1944.
Vena del Gesso
A stunning natural reserve renowned for its unique gypsum ("gessi" in Italian) formations stretching 25km long and 2km wide, which create a striking white ridge. This geological wonder spans across hills and valleys, offering scenic hiking trails, caves, and an array of flora and fauna. It has been nominated UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Marco Pantani
Known for his explosive attacks in the mountains, was affectionately called "Il Pirata" (The Pirate) for his bandana and earring. In 1998 he achieved an incredible double victory, winning both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France in the same year. He tragically passed away in 2004 at the age of 34.
"You can't become a champion without having trained yourself to exhaustion, without having risked everything to win."
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