Discover Lugo: History, Museums and Music

With the Pavaglione, Rocca Estense, and the Francesco Baracca and Gioachino Rossini museums, Lugo presents a diverse historical and cultural profile. At the same time, the city is easy to explore on foot.

Historic Buildings and Places of Remembrance

The municipal cemetery of Lugo was built between 1805 and 1807 to implement the Napoleonic Edict of Saint-Cloud. Its layout is structured by a semicircular surrounding loggia, broad interior staircases and orthogonal avenues. The cemetery also contains the tomb monument of aviator Francesco Baracca. A mosaic depicts the “Vittoria alata” against a star-studded background.

The Oratorio di Sant’Onofrio was founded at the end of the 17th century together with the hospital. The oratory contains a cycle of paintings executed by Ignazio Stern. Another art-historical highlight is the Oratorio di Croce Coperta, dating from the 15th century. It houses a fresco cycle attributed to the Ferrarese school of the 15th and 16th centuries.

The Pavaglione was built from 1771 onwards by Giuseppe Campana and completed in 1783 as a market for silkworm cocoons. Rocca Estense is a medieval fortress and is considered one of the best-preserved examples of Este military architecture. Its keep, “Uguccione della Faggiola”, dates from the late 13th century.

Museums, Music and Theatre

The Museo Francesco Baracca houses the SPAD VII, an aircraft from 1917 with which Francesco Baracca won one of his 34 victories. The museum has been located in Casa Baracca since 1993. This gives the history of aviation in Lugo a clear focal point of its own.

The Casa-Museo Gioachino Rossini is located in a building inhabited by the Rossini family until 1790. In the museum rooms, music is the connecting theme. The Teatro Gioachino Rossini was built between 1757 and 1761 and offers an annual drama season, a concert programme and two spring events featuring operas.

The history of the Jewish community is also part of Lugo’s cultural heritage. The Jewish Cemetery of Lugo bears witness to the presence of a large Jewish community that had been settled there since the 13th century. Lugo’s history thus encompasses sacred art, military architecture, music and evidence of various religious traditions.

Market, Events and Special Interests

The Pavaglione hosts the Wednesday market, which dates back six hundred years. The Palio della Contesa Estense includes historical processions. For those interested in equestrian sports, the Centro Ippico Lughese offers Olympic disciplines in the English riding style, particularly show jumping and dressage.

On Tuesday, 19 May 2026, an interactive installation featuring an interactive table and a monitor with interactive maps and themed video content opened at the Oratorio di Sant’Onofrio.

Guidance for Your Stay

When choosing a hotel in Lugo, you can decide in advance what cultural focus you want for your trip. For architecture and architectural history, the Pavaglione, Rocca Estense, the two oratories and the cemeteries provide key points of interest. Music and the history of aviation lead to Casa-Museo Gioachino Rossini, Teatro Rossini and Museo Francesco Baracca. The Pavaglione has parking spaces for cars and coaches; the site is accessible to people with disabilities.

Further destinations: Milano Marittima, Savio, Castel Bolognese, San Zaccaria, Alfonsine, Cotignola, Castiglione, Russi

For the higher-level travel overview: Ravenna.