Location:

Faenza is an important centre in Emilia-Romagna, in the north of Italy, on the Lamone River, near Ravenna and southeast of Bologna. It is situated in a rich agricultural area and it is the seat of industries and of many commercial and artisan firms.

Historical data

In the 2nd century BC it was a Roman town (latin Faventia) on the Via Aemilia, but excavations show Faenza to have had a much earlier origin. It was later subject to many barbarian attacks, became an independent commune at the beginning of the 12th century, and withstood an eight-month siege by Frederick II in 1240-41. In 1313 Faenza was taken by the Francesco Manfredi family, which retained possession until the city was captured by Cesare Borgia in 1501. It then remained part of the Papal States, except for the brief domination of Napoleon (1797-1814), until it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1859, passing to the Italian kingdom in 1861. In the medieval period and most notably in the 15th and 16th centuries, Faenza was famous for the production of maIolica (glazed pottery). Examples of ceramics of every age and origin are contained in the city's International Museum of Ceramics (founded 1908), which was completely rebuilt after World War II. Faenza preserves traces of the Roman rectangular plan, surrounded by 15th-century walls. The city's notable landmarks are the Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, including the cathedral, begun in 1474 by Giuliano da Majano, with an incomplete facade; the medieval palaces of the Podestà and of the Commune; and the civic museum and art gallery. Faenza owes its fame to the production of artistic ceramics which is still vital nowadays.

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Of roman origins, Faenza is a splendid city of art whose fame already shone in the Renaissance period for the production of exquisitely made pottery. But faenza is not only ceramics. It's a city embellished by architectural and urbanistic features of high interest, such as the magnificent Cathedral, the two harmonious squares in the centre, the 18th century Palazzo Milzetti and the elegant Masini Theatre.

Cathedral

Along the east side of Piazza della Liberta', the splendid Cathedral, of clear tuscan influence it is one of the highest expressions of the Renaissance art in Romagna. built to Giuliano da Maiano's design, it was begun in 1474 and completed in 1511.
The marble decoration of the facade remained unfinished. the interior, nave and two aisles, houses numerous works of Renaissance art, chiefly sculpture, among which the Tombs of St. Terence and St. Emilian (tuscan school 15th c.) and that of St. Savinio, perhaps done in Florence by Benedetto da Maiano.

Piazza della Libertà

Opposite the cathedral, the open gallery known as the "goldsmiths' portico", built in the first decade of the 17th century, and the monumental fountain whose bronzes date to the same period.

Piazza del Popolo

At the entrance rises the Clock Tower, which is a post-war rebuilding of the 17th century tower that stood at the crossroads of the cardo and the decuman gate of the roman Faventia. Very interesting are also Palazzo del Podesta' and the Palazzo Municipale, formerly the Manfredi Family seat, leading to Corte della Molinella on which stands the Masini Theatre.
Palazzo Milzetti
Considered on the main architectural expressions of italian neoclassicism (1792/1805) its interior is richly decorated in tempera completed with stucco-work decorations.

Pinacoteca comunale

Contains a wide panorama of Faenza and italian art from the 13th to 19th century. Works by Donatello, M. Palmezzano, C. Cignani, D. Dossi and other masters.

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History

In The Middle ages Romagnia faced multiple wars, during the sporadic periodsof peace, people still faced difficulties in interacting, this solicited the desire of contests, jousts and tournaments, to which involvement was total and passionate.
The goal of the contests was purely educational. The contests also served the purpose for the preparation of new battles. The art of tournaments, highlighted the riding ability of contestants, and reached forms of great resonance.
The tournament especially assumed all the attributes of great a show during the Manfrediana Dominion, epoch in which memorable jousts were performed in honor of high personalities. It was in this period (1410 Ca.) that the tournaments were codified in the Statutes of Faenza, which gave the tournament the regulation of the Palio. The 12th February of 1596 saw the publication of the first proclamation. This was the official birth of the Palio of Niballo that will be revived, after years of forgetfulness, in June 29 of 1959, obviously with different purposes from that the descendants of the noble lineage had had.

The neighbourhoods

In various cities, the institution of the neighbourhoods is ancient: During the Reign of Augustus, Rome counted 14 of them, but many more were military and administrative divisions that served the purpose of census taking of the population. During that period, with the advent of the free Communes, Neighbourhoods acquired the much sought after military district status, Faenza had the same evolution.
Neighbourhoods generally took the name of their portals that were entrusted with the defence from the surrounding inhabitants in case of siege. Faenza counted four of them: Rione di Porta da Ponte (Yellow neighbourhoods), Rione di Porta Imolese (Red neighbourhoods), Rione di Porta Ravegnana (Black neighbourhoods), Rione di Porta Montanara (Green neighbourhoods). The Suburb of Durbecco (White Neighbourhood) did not initially belong to this division in different districts, even though its origin dates way back in history.

The historical parade

The fourth Sunday of every June, the drums and the rings of chariness resound throughout Faenza: bringing back the Middle Ages world with its colors and characters. The reading of the proclamation by the town crier who calls the Neighbourhoods to "a singolar tenzone", Judges, Princes, guards and Jugglers flock to the middle of the fluttering of the motley flags magisterially shaken by skilled Ensigns. These evolutions are the expression of the local craftsmanship, patience and love is effused by the old and young to produce the flags with ancient instruments and few historical documents. Amidst the characters, Riders dominate: they have the Dame "honor" of every Neighbourhood. Entrusted by the people; hopes, enthusiasms, trepidation and anticipation is unleashed: on the field the Tournament that will give great honor to the winner and imperishable fame to
his Neighbourhood. Every year, the order of the parade is established by the
ranking of the preceding year. Neighbourhoods, preceded by the Town Group, are in a formation that reflects ancient traditions.

The rule

The Palio of the Niballo is raced on a distance of around 200 meters, crossed at full gallop; the tournament begins with the challenge of the Rider representing the last classified Neighbourhood in the preceding Palio against the four riders of the adversary Neighbourhoods. Identical challenge is launched by all the other contenders for a total of 20 games. Lances 2.75 meters long and 3.250kg in weight are used for these competitions. As they are called by the judge, two at a time, riders in Renaissance customs go down to the field and they place themselves within the special stalemates of departure to the opposite sides of a layout formed like a horseshoe. The challenge takes place where the "Niballo" is positioned. The "Niballo" is composed of two targets with a diameter of 8 centimetres and it is placed in the middle of the track. The first player that will strike the target with the lance, without irregularity during the approach, wins the competition and provokes the raising of the striking arm. This provokes the exclusion of the opposite arm putting out of the competition the other rider. Every right shot grants a shield with the colors of the other neighbourhood which is hoisted on the gallery of winning neighbourhood. At the end of the twenty challenges, the Neighbourhood that will haveconquered the greatest number of shields wins the Palio, which is a clothbanner. This is the only and very valued prize of the whole competition. The second Neighbourhood receives a roasted pig and the third a rooster and some garlic.

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HELP ADDRESS

INDIRIZZI UTILI / USEFUL ADDRESSES

ALBERGHI / HOTEL

Hotel Cavallino
http://www.emmeti.it/Welcome/Emilia/Romagna/Faenza/Alberghi/Cavallino/cavallino2.uk.html
Via Forlivese 185
TEL. 0546/634411 - FAX 0546/634440

Hotel Vittoria
http://www.hotel-vittoria.com/
Corso Garibaldi 23
TEL. 0546/21508 - FAX 0546/29136

Class Hotel
http://www.classhotel.com/itfaenza/home$data=Faenza
Via S. Silvestro 171
TEL. 0546/46662 - FAX 0546/46676

RISTORANTI PIZZERIE
RESTAURANTS PIZZA

Ristorante - Restaurant
Enoteca Astorre
Piazza della Libertà 16/a
TEL. 0546/681407
Chiuso la domenica - closed on sunday

Ristorante - Restaurant
Ristorante Cavallino
Via Forlivese 185
TEL. 0546/634411
Sempre aperto - always opened

Ristorante cinese - Chinese Restaurant
Chun kuo
Piazza Martiri della Libertà 32
TEL. 0546/681443
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante tipico - Restaurant
La Germana
Via Sarna 6 - Sarna
TEL. 0546/43359 - 0546/43395
Chiuso il mercoledì - closed on wednesday

Ristorante - Restaurant
Le Volte
Corso Mazzini 54
TEL. 0546/661600
Chiuso la domenica - closed on sunday

Ristorante tipico - Restaurant
Marianaza
Via Torricelli 21
TEL. 0546/681461
Chiuso il mercoledì - closed on wednesday

Ristorante - Restaurant
Vizi e sfizi
Via Cavour 11
TEL. 0546/660697
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante tipico - Restaurant
Osteria del Mercato
Piazza Martiri della Libertà 163
TEL. 0546/680797
Chiuso la domenica - closed on sunday

Ristorante - Restaurant
Sapori di Romagna
Via S. Silvestro 169
TEL. 0546/46700
Sempre aperto - always opened

Ristorante - Restaurant
Millennium
Corso Garibaldi 23/b
TEL. 9546/667493
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante cinese - Chinese Restaurant
Oriente
Corso Mazzini 149
TEL. 0546/26354
Chiuso il martedì - closed on tuesday

Spaghetteria - Spaghetti Restaurant
Spaghetti Notte
Via Zanelli 2
TEL. 0546/661710
Chiuso il giovedì - closed on thursday

Pizzeria - pizza
Da Silvio
Corso Mazzini 123
TEL. 0546/28778
Chiuso il mercoledì - closed on wednesday

Ristorante pizzeria - restaurant pizza
Felix
Corso Mazzini 141
TEL. 0546/21405
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante pizzeria - Restaurant pizza
Osteria del Gallo
Corso Garibaldi 2/a
TEL. 05846/25064
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante pizzeria - Restaurant pizza
Primo Piano
Via Canal Grande 44
TEL. 0546/22022
Chiuso il martedì - closed on tuesday

Ristorante pizzeria - Restaurant pizza
Tiffany
Via Fratelli Rosselli 55
TEL. 0546/30588
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante pizzeria - Restaurant pizza
Chalet dello Sport
Piazzale Pancrazi 4
TEL. 0546/682565
Chiuso il lunedì - closed on monday

Ristorante pizzeria - Restaurant pizza
Zingarò
Via Campidori 11
TEL. 0546/21560
Chiuso il martedì - closed on tuesday

AGRITURISMI / FARM HOLYDAYS

Agriturismo dei Trerè
Via Casale 19 - Tebano
TEL. 0546/47034

La Sabbiona
Via Di Oriolo 10 - Oriolo dei Fichi
TEL. 0546/642142

INFORMAZIONI TURISTICHE / TOURIST INFORMATION

Ufficio del Turismo - Tourism Office
TEL. 0546/691295

I.A.T.
TEL. 0546/25231

CULTURA / CULTURE

Palazzo delle Esposizioni
Corso Mazzini
TEL.0546/20207

Museo Internazionale delle Ceramiche - International Museum of Ceramics
Via Campidori 2
TEL. 0546/21240
Orari di apertura: dal martedì al sabato 9.00 - 19,00 domenica e festivi 9.30 - 13.00 / 15.00 - 19.00 chiuso il lunedì

Biblioteca Comunale - Public Library
Via Manfredi 14
TEL. 0546/21541

Palazzo Milzetti
Via Tonducci 15
TEL. 0546/26493

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