Russi, Italy (Emilia-Romagna): What to See, Eat & Stay

Russi was founded as a replacement castle. In 1234, in one of the many wars between Faenza and Ravenna, the Faentini stormed the two strongholds of Raffanaria and Cortina and left Ravenna undefended along that border; more than a century later Guido III da Polenta founded a new castrum here, and the town was born in 1371. Its look, however, is eighteenth-century, because in 1688 an earthquake destroyed almost all of it: of the castle only the lower part of the keep survives, and it now houses the town museum.

In the risings of 1831 Russi was the first town in Romagna to rebel, and the price was paid by Domenico Antonio Farini, killed in an ambush on the last day of 1834; from then until the taking of Rome three hundred and sixty-seven men of Russi took part in the risings and the wars of independence. His nephew Luigi Carlo Farini became dictator of Emilia and prime minister of the Kingdom of Italy: when his body came home in 1878, Umberto I granted Russi its coat of arms and the title of city.

The Russi guide

What to eat here 1

Tagliatelle al Ragù

Where to stay

Compare hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes on Booking.com for your dates.

Events & festivals 1

Next up: Saint Apollinaris, patron of the land of the Fiera dei sette dolori, Friday 23 July

Getting there

Nearest airport: Rimini Fellini, 61 km away

🎉 Festivals and feasts in Russi 1

Patron saint festival In 281 days

Saint Apollinaris, patron of the land of the Fiera dei sette dolori

📅 Every year, on 23 July; the Fair of the Seven Sorrows, the oldest sagra in Ravenna province, dates to the 17th century

Russi celebrates Saint Apollinaris on 23 July, in the church dedicated to him. The Fīra di sët dulūr (Fair of the Seven Sorrows), the oldest sagra in Ravenna province, dates back to the 17th century and was tied to the Servite friars once present in Russi, who celebrated Our Lady of Sorrows.

What's around

Straight-line distances from the town centre. Tap a point to open its page.