FICO Eataly World: a food theme park just a few steps from the heart of Bologna
It’s a foodie’s dream come true: FICO Eataly World has over 100,000 square meters filled with food from every region in Italy and is looking to expand internationally.
By Sara Migliorini
A multisensory experience with 30 attractions, 7 themed areas, 26 restaurants, and 60 gourmet experiences: FICO Eataly World, the world’s first Food Park, is designed to teach you everything you need to know about Italian cuisine.
Because it is so diverse in it’s offerings, FICO Eataly World is often called a food theme park, but it’s more than that: FICO Eataly World is like a combination between a giant food hall and a food museum.
“Why go to a food hall when there are so many food markets and vendors along Bologna’s wonderful medieval streets?” you might wonder. While you should definitely visit the “Quadrilatero”, Mercato delle Erbe and Bologna’s city centre, FICO Eataly World offers a one-of-a-kind experience. It’s more of a food festival and a place to learn: FICO is perfect for a trip with family or friends. Children in FICO can have fun and deepen their food awareness by milking cows on the farm, taking a selfie in front of the world’s largest fig tree, or hopping aboard a peasant carousel in the adjacent Luna Park. All this while adults discover special flavors and learn how to make pizza or prepare a good tortellino. Perhaps you’ll discover a region to visit on your next trip to Italy!
Sustainability and Made in Italy are the cornerstones of FICO’s original idea: there are 60 agribusiness operators in the park, including major cooperatives like Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano DOP, Consorzio del Prosciutto di San Daniele, Consorzio Mortadella Bologna IGP, Consorzio Tutela Aceto Balsamico di Modena and Consorzio Carne Razza Maremmana Bio, the big companies like Italia Zuccheri, or the small, high-quality local producers. The park’s sustainability is achieved through the Metro-0 project, which entails the distribution and service of food produced on-site by all of the restaurants and operators present, as well as the installation of 55.000 mq of photovoltaic panels (one of Europe’s largest), which provide more than 30% of the energy consumed, and the use of Bologna inceneritor and wood for the teleriscalding.
Surrounding the main structure are four acres of fields farming Italian crops including tomatoes, olives, and pistachios. Inside the building, you’ll find factories, marketplaces, workshops, and classes highlighting many of Italy’s most recognizable delicacies, including regional meats, cheeses, olive oil, baked goods, and gelato. You can taste and shop your way through the many markets, strolling from vendor to vendor and sampling as you go. Quality food and wine shopping is guaranteed by 2,000 square meters of store handled by Eataly, one of FICO Eataly World’s two partners, together with Coop Alleanza 3.0.
The number of visitors is increasing month by month (+ 21% on average every month between July and November 2021): the first sign of enthusiasm for the new experience park structure, which bodes well for Fico’s future. And it is precisely in response to this generalized optimism that FICO Eataly World aspires to grow worldwide. “Fico is looking to expand internationally” says Stefano Cigarini, CEO of FICO Eataly, in an interview with Italpress, “because the concept of an Italian food park reflects one of our most well-known industries throughout the world”.
Our tip for you is to dive into the FICO experience, ask questions, and have fun exploring!
Find out more about tickets, events, information, and timetables on the website: www.fico.it
