This is an excerpt from the July/August 2009 issue of Dream of Italy. Updated 2018.
Every two years, the medieval hilltop village of Dozza invites contemporary artists to paint murals on the exteriors of the town’s homes and show art at the Biennale Muro Dipinto. The next exhibition should be in 2019 but even if you miss it, the 15-mile ride southeast from Bologna along Via Emilia is well worth the journey. Gaze at the incredible paintings from earlier shows, look out over the peaceful landscape and visit Rocca Sforzesca. Find the castle’s sometimes bloody history and 21 past Biennales chronicled upstairs. Down below, the restored cellars house the Enoteca Regionale Emilia-Romagna. There’s no better place to sample local Albana, Sangiovese and Lambrusco wines from more than 150 local vineyards. –– Barbara Wysocki