The elliptical Piazza Nuova, the Pieve di San Pietro in Sylvis, the Rocca di Lugo, the Pavaglione and Francesco Baracca.
The Romagna plains, far from mass tourism: eighteenth-century squares, arcades, an early medieval parish church and the story of Francesco Baracca, the First World War flying ace whose prancing horse became the symbol of Ferrari.
Times are a guide: driving times are worked out without traffic, then come the visits and ten minutes at every stop to park. In summer towards the coast and at rush hour allow extra time.
A seventh-century church that has remained almost intact, one of the oldest in Romagna: the name recalls the woods ('silvae') that once surrounded it. The interior is simple, with three naves, and in the apse there is a cycle of fourteenth-century frescoes by the Rimini school, linked to Giotto, depicting Christ, the apostles and the stories of the saints.
Limited opening times (mainly weekends): check or request a visit beforehand.
Built in the mid-eighteenth century as a covered meat and fish market, it is an elliptical square enclosed by a continuous arcade, with shops still open beneath the arches. It is intimate, peaceful and much photographed: a little gem of civic architecture.
Always open.
The centre preserves its medieval streets with arcades. The Convento di San Francesco, dating from the thirteenth century, has been restored and hosts exhibitions and events; in the church you can breathe in the town's Franciscan history. The civic tower dominates the main square.
A medieval fortress enlarged by the Este family, who ruled Lugo from the fifteenth to the sixteenth century. Today it is the town hall. At the top there is a hanging garden, a small garden suspended above the walls, from which you can see the whole town centre.
Courtyard and garden can be visited during office hours.
An enormous eighteenth-century arcaded quadrangle, created for the silkworm cocoon market (the name comes from the 'padiglione', the market tents). Today there are shops and cafés beneath the arcades; on Wednesdays it hosts the large weekly market.
Francesco Baracca, born in Lugo in 1888, was the greatest Italian flying ace of the First World War: 34 victories, he fell on the Montello in 1918. On his aircraft he painted a black prancing horse: it was his mother who gave it to Enzo Ferrari, who made it the symbol of his cars. In the square stands the great 1936 monument by Domenico Rambelli, with a wing over six metres high; in his birthplace the museum displays his aircraft, a SPAD VII.
The museum has limited opening times: check before you set off.
An eighteenth-century Italian-style theatre, linked to the Bibiena family; Gioachino Rossini lived in Lugo as a boy and learnt music here. You can see it from outside; visits inside must be requested.
Interior visits on request.
How long it takes from each town, the drive back included. Tap a town to see the plan from there.
Almost every old town has a limited traffic zone (ZTL) with cameras: park outside and walk in. The fine reaches your home, abroad too. ZTL and car parks town by town
Romagna Transfer picks you up at your hotel, drops you in front of every stop and brings you back: no parking, no ZTL, and the wine is yours to enjoy.
San Vitale, Galla Placidia, the Neonian Baptistery, Dante's Tomb and Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, all on foot in the centre
3 h 55 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Classis museum and Sant'Apollinare in Classe, driving from one stop to the next.
4 h 10 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The International Museum of Ceramics, the squares, the Cathedral, Palazzo Milzetti and a ceramicist's workshop.
4 h 20 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The Via degli Asini, the Rocca, the Clock Tower, the Pieve del Thò and an oil tasting.
4 h 15 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The Cervia salt pans, the Salt Warehouse, Cesenatico's canal harbour with its historic boats.
5 h 50 from Lugo Half day
The plan
A boat trip through the Valli, the Trepponti, the Manifattura dei Marinati and the Museo Delta Antico.
5 h 40 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The Rocca Sforzesca in Imola, the Senna memorial at the racing circuit, the painted walls and the Regional Wine Library of Dozza.
4 h 20 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The Palazzo Pubblico, the Basilica of the Saint, the Guaita and Cesta Towers and shopping in the historic centre.
5 h 40 from Lugo Half day
The plan
The Este Castle, the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Diamanti and Via delle Volte.
4 h 55 from Lugo Half day
The planTrips written by our editors from the facts of our monument pages and the official sites. Opening days and hours change: the note under every place tells you what to check before you leave. No prices: you find them on the museums' sites.
