Nestled in the picturesque hills of the Appennino Bolognese, Rocchetta Mattei is one of Italy’s most unique architectural treasures. Located in Grizzana Morandi, just a short drive from Bologna, this eclectic castle has become a symbol of creativity, history, and mystery. With its mix of Moorish, neo-Gothic, and medieval styles, Rocchetta Mattei is a place that feels like it’s been pulled from

Who built Rocchetta Mattei? Rocchetta Mattei was the creation of Count Cesare Mattei, a brilliant and unconventional figure of 19th-century Italy. Born in Bologna in 1809, Mattei initially gained fame as a politician but later turned his focus to medicine. He founded electrohomeopathy, an alternative healing method that combined plant-based remedies with electrical principles. His work attracte

You can call it Modena's Sagrada Familia. It's San Cataldo Cemetery, designed by architects Aldo Rossi and Gianni Braghieri in the 1970s, that, after decades from its birth, is still incomplete. However, despite that, this abandoned city remains a masterpiece that you should visit. In this article, we’ll delve into the story behind the cemetery, explore the vision of Aldo Rossi, and highlight th

Aldo Rossi: the visionary behind San Cataldo cemetery Aldo Rossi (1931–1997) is one of Italy’s most celebrated architects, widely regarded for his innovative approach to architecture and his integration of history into contemporary design. Renowned critic Vincent Scully once likened Rossi to Le Corbusier, emphasizing his painterly, artistic approach to architecture. Rossi's body of work extends f

What's tigelle? It's a typical bread of Modena, usually served with cured meat and cheese or pesto made of lard and garlic.Their history is interesting and complicated. It's time to shed some light on this delicious food.

The name tigelle refers to ancient clay disks about 15cm large and 1.5 cm thick, built with chestnut groundland. Then they were shaped into a wooden mold with bas-relief engravings, then dried and finally cooked.In ancient times, farmers of the Appennino mountains had to feed poor and usually large families.Therefore they used to cook small balls of dough called crescentine on the clay disks (tige

2020 I'll remember you. Surely not for the food I had. But like the squirrel who left his nest to get an acorn, I had my chances to find fantastic food. Even in 2020. Curious to know the best food and restaurants I've tried this year? (If you've missed it, here what happened in 2017, 2018 and 2019)

Seupa à la Vapelenentse @Trattoria Omens, Aosta

How to tell the story of a thousand-year-old city and condense it in the rooms of a museum? Usually, it ends up in a boring series of artifacts with long descriptions that nobody reads till the end. Museo della Storia di Bologna reaches this aim and makes something more.

Not just another boring history museum