Faenza

Faenza, a beautiful artistic town, has Roman origins.Its fame was very big during the Renaissance thanks to the production of exquisite  workmanship of pieces of pottery which were exported in many European countries. The  place-name itself has become synonymous of pottery (maiolica) in many languages, among them French (faïance) and English (faience). Therefore the town's present look has been developing during this long period of historical evolution. It has constantly been enriched with very precious architecture and it has a strong Renaissance characterization. The most  important Faenza architectural examples are  gathered in the two main adjacent squares: Piazza del Popolo, bounded with two spectacular arcade double-row wings, and Piazza della Libertà. In Piazza del Popolo there is the Palazzo del Podestà and the Town Hall, both of Medieval origin. The marvellous Cathedral stands along the east side of Piazza della Libertà. It is one of the best expressions of the Romagna Renaissance art.

In front of the Cathedral there is the arcade called Portico degli Orefici and the monumental Fountain. In front of the Piazza entrance there is the Clock Tower,which is a post-war reconstruction of a seventeenth century tower.

Among the other monumental works of the historical centre there are: Palazzo Milzetti, the richest and most important neoclassic building in the region, and the Teatro Masini (1780-1787), one of the most beautiful Italian theatres. In Faenza one of the most beautiful and most complete art collections in the world can be visited. This is the one kept in the International Pottery Museum. It includes pieces, made of material, coming from every place and from every historical age. Other very interesting art collections can be admired  in the Town Picture Gallery, in the diocesan museum, in the Bendandi Museum and in the Manfrediana Library.