Albinea

Information

Altitude: 166 m
Inhabitants: 8.825 (updated to December 31, 2018)
Post code: 42020
Weekly market day: Monday
Patron Saint: San Gaetano (August 7)
Hamlets: Borzano, Montericco

Contacts

0039 0522 590211 - Municipality
Municipality of Albinea

How to get there

Albinea

By car
From Reggio Emilia A1 Motorway: take the national road SS63 to Castelnovo né Monti. Past about 10 km, turn left to Scandiano-Albinea.

Location

Refined Albinea is situated in the Mathildic Lands, at the feet of the Reggio Emilia Apennines.
It is made up of 3 communities: Borzano, Montericco and Albinea-Fola.

Reasons to visit

Albinea’s territory stands out for its natural beauty, as well as for its historical and artistic buildings.
Interesting examples of rural architecture include the XVI-century tower-house of Broletto and the tower-house of Rotonda di Borzano which, thanks to its position and architectural features, can be considered as one of the finest examples in the entire foothill area in the Reggio Emilia province. 
Albinea is lively and dynamic throughout the year, but the natural beauty of the surrounding woods is particularly attractive during spring and summer when many people, also from nearby Reggio Emilia, go there to seek some relief from the heat.

Not to be missed

In addition to the Albinea Castles and the Montericco Castle (to be seen only from the outside, as they are private dwellings in an excellent state of conservation), are the Benedictine Parish Churches dating back to the XI century and the many villas built in past centuries by the most important families from Reggio Emilia, including the neoclassic Villa Moratti and the superb Villa Tarabini Viganò which hosts, in the attic, the municipal vinegar cellar; Villa Calvi, from the XIII century, Villa Arnò, from the XIX century, and the summer venue of an important jazz festival; Villa Sidoli-Rossi, famous for an episode from World War II: the attack of English and Russian parachutists, flanked by partisans, on the headquarters of the German 5th Command.
The building belonged to Giuditta Sidoli, the Risorgimento heroine from Reggio Emilia, and it is said that Giuseppe Mazzini frequented her house at the time of “La Giovine Italia” (Young Italy).

Events

Lambrusco Festival - Third weekend of June
Tastings, gastronomic stands, restaurant, exhibitions and performances.

Albinea Jazz - July.
Jazz festival, with the participation of excellent jazz musicians and international jazz groups.

Fola Festival - First weekend of September
Music, shows, exhibitions, guided tours.

Autumn Festival - Ciccioli Balsamici (Balsamic Pork Cracklings) - Fourth weekend of October
Flavours, meetings, tastings and traditions.

In the vicinity

Worth mentioning among the numerous surrounding paths, is that of the village of Borzano, accessed at the Tana della Mussina, a natural cavity and important Aeneolithic location in Emilia.

Useful links