AERIAL VIEW photos, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. Veduta aerea, Italia.

Torrechiara Castle is an eye-catching fortress with an imposing squarish architecture on a hilltop of the left bank of the Parma River. The castle was built in the mid-15th century by Pier Maria Rossi, a nobleman from the area, as a stronghold to protect the Parma Valley but also as his main sumptuous residence. The castle’s interior is equally eye-catching with magnificent frescos. Langhirano, Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The Castle of Fontanellato (or Rocca Sanvitale) is a medieval fortress with origins that can be traced back to 1124 when the Pallavicino family built the first tower for defensive purposes. Various transformations were carried out the following centuries. The castle had belonged to noble families from the very beginning until 1948 when it was sold to the municipalty. The Castle of Fontanellato is located in the center of the eponymous town. Fontanellato, Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The medieval fortress and village of San Leo are built on an impregnable clifftop. The obvious topographic advantage of the plateau was already understood by the Romans. The site had a very tumultuous past as it was fought over by the Byzantines, Goths, Franks and Lombards. The current appearance of the fortress dates from the second half of the 15th century, when Federico da Montefeltro, a mercenary captain, carried out various works under the direction of the architect Francesco di Giorgio Martini. San Leo, Province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Nowadays, San Leo is a sought-after touristic destination as the clifftop village is listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and from its elevated position, it overlooks a wide panorama of picturesque green rolling hills. San Leo, Province of Rimini, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The Pomposa Abbey we see today, was built by monks of the Order of Saint Benedict around the 9th century on a site where a previous abbey was standing. The Romanesque bell tower was built in 1063. This location was chosen as it was strategically located near the Romea Germanica Way, a pilgrim route and between two arms of the Po River close to the Adriatic Coast for an easier defensive position. Codigoro, Province of Ferrara, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

The elaborate facade of Terme Berzieri, an important spa establishment. Salsomaggiore Terme, Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Pietra di Bismantova is a geologic curiosity standing out as it is the only cliff in a landscape of rolling hills. It is a beautiful background for the village of Casale. Castelnovo ne' Monti, Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

Majestic cliff of Pietra di Bismantova dwarfing the Hermitage of Bismantova. Castelnovo ne' Monti, Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

ITALY