Dozza (map) is a hill-top medieval village about a 30-minute drive southeast of Bologna. Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, Dozza is dominated by an imposing fortress, Rocca Sforzesca, and consists of a main street that circles the village in an elongated form.
Dozza village
The village is best known for its annual Wine Festival and its Biennial Exhibition of the Painted Wall (Muro Dipinto) in September, when artists from Italy and around the world are invited to decorate the village’s walls with colourful murals, in effect transforming the village into an open-air museum. It truly is an enchanting experience to stroll around and admire the murals of Dozza, each in a different style and colour scheme.
Dozza murals
As you stroll around the village, you’ll soon see the murals for which the village is famous. There are lots of them, in a variety of themes and styles.
After strolling around the village, a perfect place to stop for a drink (I suggest a refreshing Aperol Spritz) or a meal is the charming Piccola Osteria del Borgo.
Enoteca Regionale dell’Emilia Romagna
Dozza is also home to the Enoteca Regionale dell’Emilia Romagna (the regional wine store for the Emilia Romagna region) located in the Rocca Sforzesca, with more than 800 different wines and other products like olive oils, balsamico and jams. You can’t leave the village without visiting the Enoteca and tasting some of the wines.
It was a delight to discover this gorgeous village with its beautiful murals. If you’re visiting Emilia Romagna and driving the famous Via Emilia, plan some time for a visit to Dozza!
Dozza is also a featured destination in my ultimate Emilia Romagna road trip itinerary.
Read about things you must do in Emilia Romagna or things to do in Bologna.
Note: my visit to Emilia Romagna was a collaboration between the Emilia-Romagna Tourism Board and iambassador. All views expressed above are mine, and mine only.
[…] to Bologna, you’ll find the village of Dozza. This hilltop medieval village is best known for its annual Wine Festival and its Biennial […]
[…] into an open-air museum. It truly is an enchanting experience to stroll around to admire the murals of Dozza, each in a different style and colour […]
[…] sure to stop at the gorgeous medieval village of Brisighella and, closer to Bologna, the village of Dozza, famous for its beautiful murals and its annual wine festival – Dozza’s castle (Rocca […]
[…] visitar a Itália, sabia que Dozza teria que entrar no itinerário. Já havia lido uma matéria no Velvet Scape, em que dizia que a cidade era uma verdadeira galeria a céu aberto. Pensei: ‘Bem, é pra lá […]
Thanks Albinas! Sure is a great job! 🙂
Cheers,
Keith
This is a fantastic looking place, looks beautiful. must be a fantastic job to travel around the world, I envy you , but much appreciated for the information :p.