Piazza Fontanesi

One of the most characteristic square of the historical centre of Reggio Emilia. It's crowded with people in the evening thanks to the many small locals and pub and every Saturday morning for the weekly farmer market.

Address and contacts

Piazza Antonio Fontanesi - 42121 Reggio Emilia
sito web GiraReggio
sito web Mediagallery

How to get there

Reggio nell'Emilia - Town centre

The square is at the end of Via San Carlo.

Historical notes

Piazza Fontanesi is one of the most characteristic and lively square of the historical centre of Reggio Emilia. It's full of trees and embraced by porches all around. The area of the square was obtained by the demolition of the previous quarter composed by some houses and the convent and church of Saint Mary Magdalen. At the end of the XIX century the square has been named after the painter of Reggio Emilia, Antonio Fontanesi and has been enriched by trees.
Several details can be discovered in the square: along the sidewalk of the north side, the so-called "braccia reggiane" (ancient mesurement units) are displayed; the cobbled paving, on the west side, recall the ancient Guazzatoio canal which flowed previousy in that place and served the several workshops placed in this area of the town. 
Among the houses that overlook the square, there is the beautiful loggia at n.8, part of the house of the painter of Reggio Emilia, Gaetano Chierici and, at the civic n. 7, the painting depicting the Madonna with Child and Saints, placed in a bezel between two arches.
At the end of via del Guazzatoio it's possible to see the remains of the 13th century Gate of the town, with its great ogival arcade, incorporated into the sixteenth-century bastion.

Sito web - Website See the gallery!

Tours and details

Sito web - Website Farmer's market

Sito web - Website Tour of the squares

At the discovery of the town centre of Reggio Emilia