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Portico di Romagna, Italy, written about in Dante’s Divine Comedy, unchanged in time.
Visual Stories by Barbara Nelson
![Nelson_20110611_3931](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110611_39311.jpg)
Portico di Romagna
In the ancient mountain range of Apennine, the spine of central Italy’s Emilia Romagna region, one finds all the beauty, rich culture and lifestyle of Italy in the small villages and the people whose families have lived there for centuries.Â
![Nelson_20110613_4494](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110613_4494.jpg)
Terra del Sole Vineyards and groves olive trees
The mountain range, built up by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, has now settled into rolling hills covered by iconic villages, ancient monasteries, forests, vineyards and olive trees.Â
 Famous for Parmesan cheese, prosciutto, balsamic vinegar, truffles and more, but take your choice of any of the local cheeses, wines,  or other foods and you will not be disappointed. Music and craftspeople are found everywhere. Untouched by the large tourist buses as seen in Tuscany, this is the region to experience central Italy.
![Nelson_20110613_4441](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110613_4441.jpg)
Andrea Peradotta winemaker and sommelier
![Nelson_20110611_3981](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110611_3981.jpg)
The main street, full of life.
Off the old highway connecting Florence and Ravenna, is  Protico di Romagna. A population of 400 people, it is a complete community. Written about in Dante’s Divine Comedy, this village has changed little since that time (except for modern amenities and free WiFi). From the curving main street (if stretched out would be about two city blocks) are winding, flower filled narrow streets leading down to the river where most families tend to their small gardens.Â
![Nelson_20110616_5197](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110616_5197.jpg)
Vegetable gardens along the river's bank.
![Nelson_20110614_4566](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110614_4566.jpg)
Flowered filled side street leads down to the river and gardens
Family owned  hotel Al Vecchio Convento and Albergo Ristorante (three houses on the main street) offer wonderful hospitality and the best food anywhere (declared 5 star restaurant by the guests).Â
![Nelson_20110612_4225](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110612_4225.jpg)
Lettuce from Aurelio Raggi's garden
The food is all from local gardens, delivered fresh each morning, or nearby farmers and wineries, fish from the nearby Adriatic.Â
![Nelson_20110616_5023](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110616_5023.jpg)
Apennines, ancient mountain range
Nearby hills yield the most desired (and expensive) truffles.  Specially trained dogs lead their trainers to where they are growing, and might  appear in the evening’s dinner.
![Nelson_20110616_5112](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110616_5112.jpg)
Gianni and Matteo Cameli with truffle dogs
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![Nelson_20110613_4341](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110613_4341.jpg)
Gianni Cameli, Head Chef
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![Nelson_20110612_4271](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110612_4271.jpg)
Marisa Raggi
 The current generation of Marisa Raggi and Gianni Cameli (the head chef) together with their two sons (Massimilano and Matteo) and daughter in-laws (Ulla and Camilla), run every aspect of the hotel and restaurant (plus the language school and cooking school established a few years ago).Â
![Nelson_20110612_4140](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110612_4140.jpg)
Local meats and cheeses
![Nelson_20110612_4195](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110612_4195.jpg)
The bar for expresso, cappacino and local wines,
As in earlier times, the village has a butcher, a couple bars (i.e. wine and espresso), a general store for most daily needs, a barber, bakery. a small bank and post office. Â
![Nelson_20110613_4349](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110613_4349.jpg)
Small store sells all for daily household needs
![Nelson_20110611_4047](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110611_4047.jpg)
A religious procession
 The local band, of all ages, comes together for religious celebrations and other special events.  The local school has a good music director – but then, this is Italy.
Nearby are good hiking trails, a waterfall and river for swimming, and even a tennis court. Biking is the favorite sport in this region. Â
![Nelson_20110612_4311](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110612_4311.jpg)
Aurelio Raggi, Saxophone.Iacopo Raggi on drums.
![Nelson_20110615_4928](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110615_4928.jpg)
Foscolo, an artisan.of stringed instruments
Just a few killometers away local crafts people work at their crafts.  Foscolla makes cellos, bass and violins and flutes .Â
![Nelson_20110616_5227](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110616_5227.jpg)
Piero Tassinari creates iron sculpture
 Piero Tassinari, a blacksmith, creates statues and accessories in his shop.
Every person in the village is unique. Here are just a few I photographed.
![Nelson_20110616_5188](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Nelson_20110616_5188.jpg)
Umberto & RosannaLocal people
![Nelson_20110611_4126](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Nelson_20110611_41261.jpg)
Ulla & Anna
![Nelson_20110612_4202](http://barbaranelsonblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/Nelson_20110612_4202.jpg)
Claudia Raggi