Nearby sites to see

Terre matildiche (The land of Matilda)

In the hills near Reggio Emilia, the importance of the Medieval period has been well preserved in time. The castles ( in Bianello, Sarzano, Montecchio, Carpineti, Rossena and Canossa) which form the heart of the ancient County of Matilda, have maintained the charm of a time when, amid this scenery of woods and gullies, important events in European politics of the 11th and 12th century unfolded. The best preserved Castle is that of Rossena, which still has its Medieval look-out tower. The castle of Canossa has only a portion of the outer walls still standing and, inside this area, are the crypt of the Church of Saint Apollonio and the small National Museum “Naborre Campanini”. Scene of the famous historical episode, the phrase “Andare a Canossa “ (Go to Canossa) which is used as a synonym of penance and forgiveness, has been translated into more than 30 languages.

Renaissance Courts

The itinerary through the plains north of the city, extending to the Po River, offers an array of interesting artistic landmarks.

Brescello is notable for having hosted the films “Don Camillo and Peppone” to whom the museum is dedicated;
Boretto boasts of having one of the best equipped ports for river navigation;
Guastalla preserves its memories from the period of Gonzaga domination;
Gualtieri with its majestic town square, “Bentivoglio”, and its Museum dedicated to the famous artist who lived there, Antonio Ligabue;
Novellara is home of the Gonzaga fortress and its museum;
Correggio with its well preserved historical centre and its Princes’ Palace.

South of the city, another destination is Scandiano with its impressive Boiardo fortress and the house where Lazzaro Spallanzani, the scientist, was born. Today it houses the Study Centre dedicated to his works.

The Apennines

Of particular interest are the landscapes and naturalistic panoramas, most of which are located in the National Park of Tuscany-Emilia. From Mount Cusna to the Alps of Succiso, from Lake Calamone to the waterfalls of Lavacchiello, they extend along deep valleys, steep ravines, charming reflective pools of water, thick, dark woods filled with chestnut and beech trees, grasslands and moors. The scenery is characterized by exceptional examples such as the “Pietra di Bismantova” (Rock of Bismantova), a huge natural sandstone monolith that towers over the town of Castelnovo Ne’ Monti, a place mentioned by Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy. www.appenninoreggiano.it