I Love Touring Italy - Springtime in Emilia-Romagna

The region of Emilia-Romagna stretches almost all themid-April. The second Sunday of April means a very
way across northern Italy from the Gulf of Veniceunique commemoration. The city of Montese,
on the east to Tuscany and Liguria (the Italianpopulation 3 thousand, holds its Remembrance of
Riviera) on the west. As in so many other parts ofFallen Brazilian Soldiers dedicated to the more than
Italy the spring months are not very pleasant in early15,000 Brazilian soldiers who arrived in Napoli in July of
spring but it warms up fairly quickly. This region is1944 to fight the Germans in the nearby Appenine
known for its food, even the perhaps unfortunatelymountains. The conflict lasted almost 8 months and
named provincial capital of Bologna.over four hundred were killed and thousands injured
In the middle of Lent the town of Forlimpopoli,but they were credited with helping in the victory at
population about 13 thousand celebrates Segavecchia,Montese and elsewhere.
the burning of the effigy of "Old Woman Winter."Now that you have the habit, start the month of
This story can get pretty bloody; in one version aMay about a week early at the seaside resort of
woman is sawed in half by her husband and sons butCervia at their International Kite Festival running from
they repent and she comes back to life. On theApril 23 to May 2. You might want to stick around or
second or third Sunday in March the small town ofreturn for their Sposalizio del Mare (Marriage of the
Casalfiumanese, population about 3 thousand holdsSea) commemorating a event in 1445 when,
the Bologna Ravioli Festival. Here Bologna refers toaccording to tradition, the local Bishop of Cervia
the provincial name. By the way, the city of Bolognacalmed a storm by pawning his pastoral ring. On the
is known for its tortellini. You don't have to go veryday of the Ascension, after a week of celebrations,
far in Italy to change the local pasta specialties. On ora historical procession accompanies the Bishop to the
about the 25th to 27th March, the city of Cavriago,open sea, where he blesses the Adriatic and tosses a
home to about 9 thousand, hosts the Festival delwedding ring into the sea, surrounded by
Bue Grasso, a two hundred-year-old cattle fair thatbrightly-coloured historical vessels. On the last Sunday
includes many demonstrations of old crafts and greatin May there's a Medieval Parade and Jousting
food stands. The small town of Rocca San Casciano,Tournament near the fortress of Grazzano Visconti
population about 2 thousand, located about 40 milesthat you won't want to miss.
(60 kilometers) southeast of Bologna hosts its FestaIt commemorates the late Fourteenth Century
dei Falo (Bonfires Feast), said to originate in Celticmarriage of the daughter of the local bigwig to the
Pagan rites.brother of the king of France. Finish the month in the
Start the month of April a few days early in the cityhistoric city of Ferarra, population some 135 thousand,
of Vignola, population 23 thousand with a cherrylocated about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northeast of
festival. You can eat all kinds of cherry dishes andBologna at their Palio di San Giorgio Medieval Parade
drink cherry wine. There's a free train ride fromand Race. This race ran continuously from 1279 (the
Vignola to Bologna and back where you can learnworld's oldest Palio) to 1869. There are an
about the history of the cherry in the speciallyunbelievable one thousand locals dressed in costume.
decorated train interior. This celebration continues until