Faenza is a city that has been known for its ceramics since Roman times. Even its name gave rise to the often used term faience. In addition to valuable monuments, mainly from the Middle Ages, there is one of the most important ceramics museums in Italy.
In Roman times, the city was called Faventia. The word was often used interchangeably with the term ceramics and testifies to the long traditions associated with this craft. Its heyday took place in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance and the most important monuments of Faenza come from these times.
Within the old town, you can see the 15th-century cathedral built according to Florentine designs. Inside, you can see numerous Renaissance sculptures and tombstones. In the vicinity of the cathedral, you can see the city lodge with arcades, a Baroque fountain and a clock tower. There are also numerous other churches and city palaces in the oldest part of the city.
The greatest attraction of Faenza is the MIC International Ceramics Museum. It is one of the largest and most important institutions of this type in Italy. It presents examples of ceramics from ancient vases and amphoras to works by Picasso and Chagall. There are still many small pottery workshops in Faenza's old town, where you can buy local artisans, and take part in workshops and shows.
