Delta del Po

Russi (Ròss in Romagna) is an Italian town of the province of Ravenna near Faenza and Forlì (about 20km), as well as Imola and Cesena (about 40km).

The town boasts a two thousand year history, as seen by the archaeological area on which stands an important Roman Villa. 

In the historic center there are traces of the ancient castle, of medieval times, and near the bank of the river Lamone stands the seventeenth-century Palace of San Giacomo or Delizia dei Rasponi. To visit in addition to the archaeological complex of the Roman Villa, surrounded by the ecological rebalancing area, the Antiquarium of the Roman villa and the Pinacoteca, preserved inside the ancient castle, and an interesting private collection of bells.

The typical dishes of Russi are linked to the Fira (fair) of the seven pains, and are: cappelletti with ragù, bel e Cot (sort of cotechino or pork sausage) with mashed potatoes, canèna nova and donut.

We remind visitors of the cellars of Palazzo San Giacomo, where the wine of the Canena, Trebbiano and Uva d'Oro varieties is left to age.

In the municipal territory there is an ecological rebalancing area of 132 hectares called Bacini di Russi and Lamone River. It is a vast area including the vegetation of the Lamone River, the natural area around the Roman Villa, the agricultural area surrounding Palazzo San Giacomo and the tanks of the former sugar factory. In the area the typical environments of the low Russian plain have been recreated: hygrophilous forest, mesophilic forest, wetlands and floodplains, stable lawn, and a pond.

On the banks of the river Montone we find Chiesuola a small hamlet located between cultivated fields and ancient historical testimonies such as the church of San Sebastiano, once "Oratorio degli Orioli" still open to the public.

Not far away we find the hamlet of San Pancrazio famous for its Pieve, the Villa dei Principi Chiaramonti, grandchildren of Pope Pius VII; the Palazzo Capra, building of the seventeenth century. and the Museum of Peasant Life in Romagna.

Also worth mentioning is the small hamlet of Godo where the beautiful Pieve di S. Stefano in Tegurio dating back to the VIII-IX century, counted among the ancient parish churches of Romagna. The Museum of Contemporary Furniture designed by the great architect Ettore Sottsass is also worth a visit.

On the road from Russi to Bagnacavallo we find Cortina where there are the ancient oratory of Santa Rosa da Lima, a small church erected by Bonifacio Spreti in 1683, and the church dedicated to Saint Thomas the Apostle.

The Fîra ad sett dulür ( "The seven pains fair" literally) is the oldest festival in the province of Ravenna, since it dates back to the seventeenth century, and was linked to the order of the Servite friars at that time present in Russi. It takes place in the third week of September and presents a wide range of musical and cultural events as well as gastronomic events, with typical dishes of Romagna.

International Folklore Festival, for over 30 years has brought folk groups from different parts of the world to Russi every year.

On the second Sunday of October the traditional village festival of San Pancrazio takes place.