Medicina
Welcome to Medicina, a town with ancient history
Medicina, also known in Bolognese dialect as Midgéṅna, is an Italian municipality located in the metropolitan city of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna region. With a rich history dating back to the Bronze Age and the Iron Age, as evidenced by the artifacts preserved in the civic museum, Medicina is a town steeped in history.
The origin of the name Medicina
The name Medicina comes from Latin and means "a place where one is cared for and medicated." However, there is a legend that Emperor Frederick Barbarossa, during his journey from Milan to Rome for his coronation, fell ill and was forced to rest near a small castle located in Medicina. The emperor miraculously recovered after drinking a broth from which a live snake had emerged during cooking, much to the astonishment of the cooks. Despite the antiquity of the name preceding this legend, Medicina still celebrates the "Barbarossa Festival" every year to commemorate this event.
The history of Medicina
Over the centuries, Medicina has been under various dominions. Initially under the control of the Holy Roman Empire, it was later included in the territories of the great countess Matilda of Canossa. It then returned under the control of the Holy Roman Empire and was eventually subject to the Papal State until Italian unification in 1861. During the Communal Age, Medicina was governed by a podestà and enjoyed a certain degree of autonomy granted by the emperor. Its strategic location on the border between Ravenna and Ferrara made it an excellent hub for communication between territories.
Bologna's conquests
Due to its strategic location, Medicina was often conquered by Bologna. However, its privileged condition was always restored by the central powers, and the Bolognese had to reconstruct or restore the city walls several times. Even today, the remains of the walls are visible in the southern part of the historic center.
The historic center of Medicina
The town center, located at the intersection of the Medicina Canal with the historic State Road 253 San Vitale, is entirely on flatland. The historic center provides an ancient and charming atmosphere with its small streets and squares. A treasure of architecture is the 12th-century Church of San Giovanni Battista, which houses one of the city's most beautiful paintings, the Madonna del Soccorso by Gianfrancesco Barbieri, also known as il Guercino.
Events and festivals
Medicina is a vibrant town, with a series of events that enliven its territory all year round. Among the most important events is the "Barbarossa Festival," which takes place every year on the third weekend of September. During the festival, the streets of the historic center are filled with stalls, performances, and music to celebrate the legend of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. Another event worth visiting is the "San Martino Fair," an autumn fair held every November 10th, born as a market in 1870 and later becoming a prominent local event.
Typical dishes of Medicina
Local cuisine is a highlight of Medicina. Among the typical dishes are pumpkin tortellini, gramigna alla salsiccia, ciccioli and copa, crescentina, and tigella. Furthermore, the town is famous for the production of wine and traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena.
Conclusion
Medicina is a town with ancient history, nestled on a plain between Bologna, Ravenna, and Ferrara. As Gabriele D'Annunzio defined it, Medicina is "the land of the three A's," that is, aceto (vinegar), amore (love), and arte (art). A town that embodies the gastronomic tradition of the region and the charm of life in a small and welcoming city.
