The 17 Pearls of Ferrara Italy

food traditions typical products and the preservation of local culture

The 17 Pearls of Ferrara, so named because of their importance to the local economy, are the result of the enhancement and protection of local typical food undertaken in Ferrara. Evidence of the strong bond between the territory and typical products are found in many ancient texts which explicitly refer to products that are still part of Ferrara's culinary tradition.

Heritage Preservation local producers working together have already received EU IPG certifications for the Coppia Ferrarese, a bread that traces its origins to the Renaissance period, Pears, Peaches and Nectarines and Asparagus while the Bosco Eliceo Wines have a DOC denomination

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Renaissance Customs and Food Traditions in Trentino and Emilia Romagna

Certifications are under consideration for Goro Clams, Ferrara Cucumbers, Po River Delta Carrots and Rice, Garlic Salami Zia Ferrarese, Voghiera Garlic, Pumpkin Cappellato and Pampapato-pampepato. 

Ferrara Historic Center Walking Itinerary

Belriguardo Castle Renaissance Art Courses and Local Cuisine in Ferrara

The Museums Project

 Learning by Doing. Preserving and Divulging Cultural Heritage in Your Community

Renaissance Customs and Food Traditions

Gastronomic and Cultural Itineraries in Trentino and Emilia Romagna

A Food and Wine Experience in a Medieval Castle

Castel Pietra near Trento holds documents dating back to the 12^th century. Its architecture displays different styles, but its purpose was decidedly defense and control of the territory, as it is located in an important strategic position near a large bend of the Adige River and the Imperial Road at the narrowest point. The castle was also the scene of important battles between Napoleon’s army and the Austrians at end of the 18^th and early 19^th centuries. During WWI, the castle was bombed and damaged on several occasions. Castel Pietra has continuously belonged to the same family since 1738.

Bioteca A new term to taste the flavors of the past. Castel Pietra overlooks 23 hectares of countryside. Grapes, apples and horticultural products have always been grown on the farm. In 2011 the property began converting it production to organic, a process just completed. Also, the surrounding countryside is populated by various wild animals such as hares, badgers, hawks, foxes and deer. Many birds nest on apple trees.

From Farmhouse to Fruit Museum

The Fruit Capital of Italy Massa Lombarda, near Ravenna, received this appellation in 1927 as a result of the efforts of Adolfo Bonvicini (1854-1916), an early 20^th century entrepreneur and creator of the local fruit industry.

A Local Farmhouse was restructured to display the tools and everyday objects typical of rural culture while the stables were transformed into paths dedicated to the culture of life, wheat and hemp. 

The Museum also presents documents relating to the birth of the first workers cooperative, some of the farming tools, including a scaled sorting machine, and artistic labels painted by famous artists of the period.

A Civic Museum and Municipal Library

The town also boasts a Civic Museum with an Art Gallery and Public Library, named after Doctor Carlo Venturini (1809 – 1886), a native of Massa Lombarda, who practiced medicine throughout Central Italy and was a member of several prestigious international associations.

The Art Gallery includes works from Doctor Venturini’s eclectic collection, including Greek, Etruscan and Roman ceramic vases and bronze objects, rare Punic stelae, the Renaissance era coins of Francesco D'Este (1516-1578), as well as the Doctor’s everyday objects and personal effects.  Also, works of a religious nature by Gian Battista Bassi, Angelo Torchi, a Garofalo, a Bastianino and a Rembrandt.

The Civic Museum received the "Quality Museum" recognition by the Emilia Romagna Region.

The Arts and Gastronomy in Ferrara

Celebrating the Cultural and Culinary Traditions of Emilia Romagna

Weekly Courses, available year round, designed to acquaint you and expand your knowledge of the arts, culture and cuisine of Ferrara and the Emilia Romagna region of Italy:

Italian Cooking Classes: from the selection and purchase of the ingredients in local markets to the making, presentation and tasting of first and second courses. The afternoons are dedicated to visits to Ferrara’s museums and other cultural venues.

Bread-Making: coppia ferrarese – a hit at Milan’s Expo2015 - and other local specialties;

Creative Cooking with your favorite Italian dishes accompanied by unique aromas, herbs and flavors from the garden; The Wines of Emilia Romagna; Balsamic Vinegar: an introduction.

The Art of Fresco Making. Your program includes morning visits to Sala della Vigna, Palazzo Schifanoia, Marfisa and other venues to view examples of Ferrara area frescoes. In the afternoons, under the guidance of your art maestro, you will have a chance to put into practice your newly acquired knowledge by creating your very own frescos.

The Cooking Classes take place in Ferrara restaurants, the balsamic vinegar program in Modena and the Fresco art course at the Belriguardo Museum.
Escorted Itineraries to visit the local small museums in or near Ferrara that are representative of the region’s Renaissance Traditions and its modern, industrial achievements, such as the Lamborghini Museum.

Children Workshops are Available at Belriguardo Castle

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for Renaissance Traditions and Food Experience in Trentino and Emilia Romagna

Local Knowledge – Global Reach

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Belriguardo Castle near Ferrara Italy

Renaissance Art  Archeology History and Regional Cuisine

Belriguardo Castle gets its name from a fifteenth century poet, so impressed with its beauty, that he exclaimed that he planned on bel riguardare, keep looking at it and admiring it!

It was built in 1435. At that time it had some of the characteristics of a castle - tower, battlements, drawbridge and a moat. However, all these elements had more of a decorative and less of a defensive function: in front of the tower there is a porch, behind the battlements there were no walk ways for the soldiers, along with many fixed bridges.

In practice, Belriguardo was a medieval castle turned into a Renaissance villa designed along the lines of a Greek one: the first courtyard had porticoes on three sides, with the second on all four sides. It was built as the summer residence of the Este family, rulers of nearby Ferrara from the 13^th century until 1598. In fact, Belriguardo can be considered the first summer residence of a European ruling family; a precursor of Versailles for the French monarchy, Venaria for the Savoy dynasty, the Quirinale and Castel Gandolfo for the popes, the Tsars’ palaces and the Caserta royal palace for the Bourbon kings of Naples.

With as many as 360 frescoed halls, on one occasion Belriguardo hosted simultaneously the courts of Ferrara, Bologna, Milan and Mantua; at least two thousand people could eat and sleep at court and its stables could hold 800 horses. The Este family entertained its guests with naval battles in the fishpond.

Inside this UNESCO protected property, one can admire the Sala della Vigna (1536), built by Duke Ercole II, son of Lucrezia Borgia, as well as many 16^th century frescoes by the Dossi brothers, Benvenuto Tisi and Girolamo da Carpi. The floor is one of the few orginals from this period.

Arts and Cooking Classes

The Civic Museum of Belriguardo is based in the castle and its archeological section includes the original wooden beams, known as composite beams, each in turn formed by seven smaller ones interlocked without the use of nails. Their design originates from a Leonardo Da Vinci drawing.

The Archaeological section contains finds from the Etruscan (IV-III century BC), Roman (I-III century AD) and Byzantine (VI-VII century AD) periods.  Some of the Roman period items are considered by researchers of great interest and a few are even unique in the world.

Belriguardo Castle is an excellent starting point for a visit to Ferrara and surrounding areas, one of the cradles of the Italian Renaissance. Nearby, you can taste the regional cuisine, considered the best in Italy.

Connect with Historia and Tema

for Cultural Itineraries, Culinary and Arts Programs in Ferrara

Local Knowledge – Global Reach

tema@arezza.net |skype arezza1 | Travel Destination Italy