Art and crafts still tell the youngest the history and traditions of Bassa Romagna, in the province of Ravenna.
While visiting museums and gaining direct experiences, one can make paper sculptures, toys or wickerwork to be kept as a precious memory. Nature is another essential component of this area and, thanks to skilled nature guides, local flora and fauna can be discovered satisfying every curiosity.
Useful Info
Check the links provided for any seasonal closures in order to plan your visit accordingly.
The town of Cotignola is famous for its papier-mâché art thanks to the local artist Luigi Varoli. In the museum dedicated to him, it is possible to understand his artistic evolution, from painting to sculpture and papier-mâché. You will be fascinated by the big masks that portray local people belonging to the artist’s period, specially made for the traditional Festa della Segavecchia festival.
After having visited the museum, it is possible to experience this art with your own hands: building puppets, action figures, masks and small sculptures understanding the magic of this material that is poor and precious at the same time or trying to “see” in a better way some details thanks to the design.
Events
Every year in March, the Festa della Segavecchia festival takes place.
To know
The origins of the historic Segavecchia Carnival date back to 1451, to an ancient folk legend linked to Francesco I Sforza and an old witch who pricked his portrait with a pin.
Reliable records of the Carnival in its modern form, however, date back to 1946 with the establishment of the Rioni, the parades of allegorical floats, and the games held to celebrate the “Palio di Cotignola”. Additionally, in collaboration with the Varoli Museum, workshops are held to create papier-mâché masks and objects that enliven the parade during the days of Carnival.
In ancient times in the marshy areas of Bassa Romagna a real marsh civilisation developed, the evidence of which is in the Ecomuseo della Civilità delle Erbe Palustri (Eco Museum of the Marsh Grass Civilizations) in Villanova di Bagnacavallo.
Inside everyday objects, grass and wood wickerwork can be found. In addition to the visit to the museum and Etnoparco, it is possible to “play with nothing” rediscovering creativity and manual skills or trying to braid grass with your own hands.
Events
The museum periodically organizes “Raccoglitori creativi”, workshops led by expert instructors dedicated to exploring techniques for weaving marsh grasses and other materials.
A few kilometres from the town of Bagnacavallo, you can reach the Podere Pantaleone, an ancient farmland that preserves the flora and fauna that used to grow in the surrounding countryside.
Today the Podere has become an ecological rebalancing area and it allows visitors to take a step back into the past, completely immersing yourself in the greenery of the last century’s countryside, when the sun and seasons used to mark the farmers’ life.
Accompanied by a nature guide, it is possible to discover the importance of trees and wood and some curiosities about insects, animals, flowers and plants for a totally immersive green experience.
Events
There are several events that allow you to explore the Podere, including night walks, workshops, and special tours for both adults and children. Here are the main ones:
