A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting the Rocchetta Mattei Palace, in the Emilia-Romagna region. I saw that it was possible to arrive by train from Bologna. So, I made the reservation a week in advance and hoped for a sunny day. The road from the Riola Station to the Palace is very pleasant, it is about 1km, which you can do in just over 10 min. At the beginning there is a bridge with a beautiful landscape with the river and trees. The Palace is over 160 years old, has been neglect for decades, and was recently opened to the public, after a long and thorough restoration. The complex's creator, Count Cesare Mattei (1809-1896) started Rocchetta's work in 1850 while developing a new technique in medicine called “electromyopathy”. Still unfinished in 1896, when the Count died, the works would only be completed in 1920. The most evident architectural style is the details in Moorish art inspired by the Alhambra Palace and the Mosque of Cordoba, Spain. It is an invitation for those who appreciate architecture, with many contrasts, colorful rooms , many details of Hispanic art. Visits to the Palace only take place on weekends and it is necessary to buy tickets in advance on the official website at a cost of € 10 (full ticket). All visits are guided in Italian and organized in small groups of up to 6 people. The train ride (Bologna-Riola) lasts 57 minutes and costs € 4.75.

https://www.rocchetta-mattei.it/