The charming medieval town of Pieve di Cento is located about 18 miles (about one-half hour by car) from the historic center of Bologna, the capital of the Emilia Romagna region. Although it sits smack in the middle of a geographic triangle formed by the region’s larger and better-known cities—Bologna, Modena, and Ferrara—the town remains a bit off the beaten tourist track 

And because its 2 km of porticoes are reminiscent of the iconic ones in the larger city (which were recognized in 2021 as a UNESCO World Heritage site), Pieve di Cento is often nicknamed “Little Bologna.” This diminutive town has enough art, history, and culture to make it well worth visiting for a half-day or more.