The notion that Italy is uniformly packed with tourists is immediately challenged by the breathtaking, uncrowded landscape around the town of Brisighella in the region of Emilia-Romagna. Here, the scenery is so dramatic and perfectly composed that it feels less like a modern view and more like a carefully rendered Renaissance painting.
The approach to the town is a truly memorable experience, dominated by jagged rocky outcrops, the silhouette of lone ancient trees, and mysterious, enigmatic medieval towers. This natural artistry gives the entire arrival an almost dreamlike, fantastical quality that prepares the visitor for a journey into the past.
Brisighella itself is perfectly designed for the art of “slow exploration.” Its medieval center is a delightful maze of twisting lanes nestled between sturdy stone houses. A unique feature is the elevated walkway, which provides a private, secluded spot to gaze down upon the ancient terracotta rooftops and the surrounding, timeless valley.
The town makes an ideal base for those looking to connect with the landscape. Visitors can easily venture out into the quiet surrounding hills for reflective walks or simply choose to sit in a sunlit corner, absorbing the profound history literally layered into the stone of the town’s buildings.
This sense of peaceful, preserved history is the essence of Italy’s hidden side, echoed in the lonely grandeur of Roman ruins like Urbs Salvia and the untouched fishing port of Chioggia. Together, these places collectively offer a deeper, more intimate, and profoundly personal connection to the Italian spirit.