Modena

Modena lies on the south side of the Po Valley in Emilia-Romagna. Its Cathedral, the Torre della Ghirlandina and Piazza Grande have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, and its university was founded in 1175. In culinary circles it is known for balsamic vinegar, a dark, concentrated vinegar made from grape must, whose story began in the city in the 11th century. The cooking leans on meats, hams and salamis, with zampone and cotechino Modena among its best-known dishes, and the Mercato Albinelli is a historic covered market founded in 1931. The city is also home to the Ferrari, Maserati and Pagani names, if the car side of Modena appeals too.