Postcard: Finding Peace in Bertinoro, Italy

Since ancient times, Emilia Romagna has been an agricultural area, making it quite easy to colonize. As the cultivation of the rich farmlands grew, the expansion of the Roman empire followed.

Today every aspect of food production, from cultivating the seeds to packaging the final product, is a big part of the culture of this area.

Traveling from Bologna to Bertinoro, I saw farmland and forests, and here and there, a castle watching over it all. Bertinoro would be my base camp for the next five days.

This is the first in a series of stories and photographs about my recent trip to the province of Forli/Cesena in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

I was hosted in the old Bishop’s Fortress, now the University Residential Center of Education and Research at Bertinoro.

Bertinoro was once a strategic military defense due to its elevation and unobstructed view of the valley. In the 11th century, Bertinoro became a place known for its hospitality, a tradition that is evident today in the friendly and helpful locals.

I didn’t get to see much of this well-preserved medieval town, because I was working with the Settimana Buon Vivere blog project. Each day was busy with hours spent learning about the history and culture of Forli/Cesena.

But every day as I drove down the hillside, I’d catch glimpses of vineyards ready for harvesting, fruit orchards, ancient stone walls, and castles overlooking this serenely blessed landscape.

The beautiful scenery you see in this photograph is typical of the entire area. I couldn’t get enough of it.  Some mornings there would be a light fog over the valley, creating a truly mystical ambiance that seemed to resonate with the old bishop’s fortress.

It seemed a place meant for relaxing, a peaceful place. I wonder if those who sought refuge here in the past felt the same. At the end of each day, I could always spot Bertinoro, a sentinel over the valley.

I have so much more to tell you about the food, wine, and the history of the area. We visited a family-owned vineyard, Alta Vita, where we had a chance to try harvesting grapes. I took the healing waters at Terme Della Fratte, a hotel/spa on the cutting edge of wellness.

I’m certain there is something for everyone in this truly lovely area of Italy. 

Disclosure: This post was a part of Buonvivere Blog Tour, organized by Settimana del Buonvivere in collaboration with 21grammy.

Related posts:

The Most Relaxing Place in Italy: Castrum Sagliani The Italian Spa Experience: Grand Hotel Terme Della Fratta, Emilia Romagna Postcard: Polignano a Mare, Italy