Modena, land of motors, of Ferrari and Maserati, born city of tenor Luciano Pavarotti, but also antique capital od the ducal family of Este, with its Dome, the Ducal Palace, the Synagogue, its museums, the historic centre and the little walk included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites, since 1997. The Modenese gastronomic tradition is a source of pride for this generous land: it is place of production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto crudo di Parma (salt-cured ham), other local gastronomic specialties are mortadella, zampone (stuffed pig's hooves), cotechino (pork sausages), balsamic vinegar, Lambrusco wine and nocino liqueur.
The province of Reggio Emilia, crossed by theancient Via Emilia, is located between the river Po and the Tuscan-Emilian Appennine hills. Place of production of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, the Appennine hills still attract visitor today, due to the important role they had during the Middle Ages. Despite the ravages of time, the castles that represented the heart of the ancient lands ruled over by Matilda still hold the nostalgic appeal of the period straddling the eleventh and the twelfth centuries when the schemes of European politics unfolded among these woods and ravines and the heroes of the tales were Popes and Emperors.