Mosaic and Stone

Numerous tiny stone and glass tesserae make up the history of this ancient art form, which arrived in Italy through contacts with the East. The Greeks, the Romans and, above all, the Byzantines were able to make full use of this technique and its language to convey images, thoughts and emotions.

In Emilia-Romagna, its undisputed home is Ravenna, which was the last capital of the Western Empire and, after Theodoric’s Gothic interlude, the centre of power for Byzantine rule in Italy.

This heritage has been handed down from generation to generation thanks to the world’s most renowned and highly qualified mosaic schools (such as the Nervi Severini Art Secondary School, the Academy of Fine Arts and the School for the Restoration of Mosaics), which are attended by students and artists of all nationalities.

When visiting the city, you can admire the world's richest collection of ancient mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries in seven of its eight UNESCO World Heritage sites, and at the same time, step into one of the many workshops of the artisan-artists that abound in the historic centre. Here, you can see this craft with your own eyes and, why not, even try your hand at creating a work of art thanks to the many courses that are always on offer.

But in Ravenna, mosaics are everywhere: in museums, on street signs, in parks, on planters, in the shop windows of the historic centres, and even on the walls, thanks to the 'invasions' carried out in the city by the renowned international street artist Invader.

The starting point for any itinerary is always the MAR Museum. Housed within the monumental complex of the Loggetta Lombardesca, this space houses a large, evolving collection of contemporary works and is also home to the CIDM, the International Centre for the Study of Mosaics.

Absolutely not to be missed is RavennaMosaico, the international festival that brings together mosaic artists and schools from all over the world every two years.

Although now a niche activity, stoneworking in Emilia-Romagna boasts some excellent examples in the areas between the provinces of Modena, Reggio Emilia and Parma.

In Carpi, for example, between the 18th and 19th centuries, artistic works in scagliola (marble dust) were produced that made the town – starting with the technique’s inventor, Guido Fassi – famous all over the world.

To this day, there are still several artisans practising the craft who create unique tables, panels, pictures and furnishing accessories that are in every respect similar to genuine inlaid marble.

In the province of Reggio Emilia, stone quarrying and stoneworking have flourished since the 19th century. In Canossa, the School of Stone Sculpture is dedicated to reviving this ancient craft and passing it on to new generations of artisans and artists.

In Ramiseto, Busana, Collagna and Castelnovo ne’ Monti, where stone-cutting was once a widespread trade, today, in keeping with tradition, arches, doorways, windows, staircases, fireplaces and restoration projects are produced for the construction industry, as well as religious sculptures and bas-reliefs.

In the Parma area, in the Upper Taro River Valley, the quarrying and processing of stone from Carniglia, a hamlet in the small village of Bedonia located at the foot of Monte Pelpi, is particularly notable. Setting aside today’s industrial production, the village still has active stonecutters who know every detail of this raw material and are able to work with it like true artists.