Emilia Romagna in pictures

La Pusterla vineyard, near Piacenza, produces 160,000 bottles of wine a year

It is surrounded by vines bearing barbera, bonarda, ortrugo and malvasia grapes

The partially ruined fort at Castell'Arquato commands impressive views

Across the square from the castle, Enoteca Communale serves local pasta, cheeses and cured meats

The castle at Torrechiara is vast - and perfectly preserved

Bertinelli’s parmesan factory, near Sala Baganza, offers tours of its factory floor

The finished product is matured for between two and four years

Parma’s streets are lined with historic buildings. The cathedral is on the left and the tower of San Giovanni church in the background

Teatro Farnese, an unusual woooden theatre, offers an alternative venue to Parma’s opera house

Reggio Emilia’s main square, Piazza Camillo Prampolini, lies at the heart of the compact old town