Cento Hotels - Emilia Romagna

Thanks to its carnival, Cento is known far beyond the boundaries of the Emilia Romagna region. The Carnival of Cento boasts ancient origins. In the 17th century, the Cento-born painter Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, alias il Guercino, realised a number of frescoes depicting the event.

Today the carnival has gained international fame. On the five Sundays prior to lent, the streets fill with allegorical floats, costumed street artists, musical groups and samba school parades. The winning float gets the chance to participate in the following year's 'Night of Champions' at the Sambodromo in Rio de Janiero.

This attractive town in the province of Ferrara has a notable artistic and cultural heritage. Visitors should be sure to take a tour of Cento's Art Museum in which to find almost the entire collection of Guercino's portable works, and of the Modern Art Gallery, this latter housed in the Clock Tower built at the same time as the Palazzo del Governatore in what was to become the town's main square.