Reggio nell'Emilia

Information

Altitude: 58 m
Inhabitants: 172.139 (updated to December 2018)
Postal code: 42121 (Town centre District) / 42124 (West District) / 42123 (South District) / 42122 (North-East District)
Weekly market day: Tuesday and Friday morning
Farmer market: Saturday morning
Patron Saint: San Prospero (November 24)

Contacts

0039 0522 451152 - tourist Information
iat@comune.re.it

A1 Motorway - SS69, SS63, SS467, SS468 roads - Railway Station.

The town, enclosed by the peripheral districts arranged in the hexagon shape of the old ring road (corresponding to the perimetre of the ancient town walls) lies on the Via Emilia, adjoining province of Parma to the west and the province of Modena to the east.

The A1 Milan-Rome motorway running parallel to the Via Emilia, is held to be the quickest and most direct link to the main cities of the area (Bologna is about 30 minutes away, Milan one hour and a half).

The SS63 main road links the city to the province of Mantua to the north; the same road leads towards the Apennines in the opposite direction (Passo del Cerreto and La Spezia)

The town is linked to Sassuolo via the SS467 in the direction of the Modena Apennines and with Correggio and Carpi by the main road 468.

Historical notes

With the arrival of the Romans, at the beginning of the II century b.C., Reggio Emilia (Regium Lepidi) became an urban centre as part of the road network built along Via Emilia, while the surrounding plain was drained and settled.
Scattered remains testify to a period of intense economic activity for the entire imperial period until the barbaric invasions.
From the 8th century, the continuity of civil powers and the permanence of the urban structures were guaranteed by the Bishop.
In the 11th century the heart of Matilde's domain was the Reggio territory, fortified by an imposing series of castles.
In 1077 one of the most famous episodes in the war of Investitures took place within the city walls of Canossa: the Emperor Henry IV, in the guise of a pilgrim, appeals to Pope Gregory VII for the annulment of his excommunication.
Meanwhile, the free municipalities are being born on the ashes of feudalism: Reggio is among the first.
At the beginning of the XV century, it comes under the power of the Este Family.
Prominent figures mark the Renaissance period of Reggio: from Matteo Maria Boiardo, the Count of Scandiano, the great poet of "L'Orlando Innamorato", who was governor of Reggio towards the end of the 15th century, to Ludovico Ariosto, the great poet of "L'Orlando Furioso", born in Reggio in 1474.
The XVII and XVIII centuries were tormented by wars, plagues and the plundering of works of art.
In intervals of peace, the creativity of Reggio citizens expressed itself in the construction of sumptuous palaces and many religious buildings, prominent among which is the striking Basilica della Ghiara, erected in the first half of the seventeenth century with the contribution of exceptional artists and the amazing development of silk art.

January 7, 1797, Reggio Emilia, the first site of the Italian parliament, on the occasion of the birth of the Cispadane Republic, saw the birth of the "Tricolour", the future Italian flag.
The spirit of resistance lived on in Reggio Emilia during the twenty years of fascism, culminating in the fight for liberation.
In recognition of the part played by the city in the re-conquest of freedom, the Reggio Emilia standard was decorated with the gold medal for military valour.

Reason to visit

Reggio Emilia, also known as the Tricolour Flag town, as here the future Italian flag was adopted for the first time in 1797, has an ancient history: in the XI century, the town was the heart of Matilde’s county in the neighbouring territory.
Later, important figures marked its Renaissance, ranging from Boiardo to Ariosto, the great poet of The Orlando Furioso.

Nowadays, famous for its gastronomy, lifestyle quality and, internationally, the “best kindergartens in the world”, Reggio Emilia is also a town of art, whose symbols are the XVII-century Basilica della Ghiara and the famous Teatro Municipale Valli.
Contemporary aspects are also visible, for those who drive along the A1 motorway, in the bridges designed by architect Santiago Calatrava for the Alta Velocità (High Speed) Railway Station.

When to go and what to see

The best seasons are spring and autumn because of the mild weather and the many events that take place in the town.

A tour may start from the Tricolour Flag Hall and its Museum, which goes over the historical events with Napoleonic memorabilia and relics of the Risorgimento period. The tour continues in the nearby Piazza Prampolini or Piazza Grande, with its statue of the torrent Crostolo and, by crossing the Broletto arcades, reach the small Piazza San Prospero, seat of the traditional market, then Piazza Fontanesi, sort of an open sitting room surrounded by trees. The Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Town Hall overlooking Piazza Grande, while Piazza San Prospero is dominated by the Basilica dedicated to the Patron Saint.

The Basilica della Beata Vergine della Ghiara is also worth seeing: a vestige of the Emilian Baroque that contains precious masterpieces such as the celebrated Guercino's "Crucifixion", as well as a cycle of frescoes illustrating the female figures of the Old Testament; the Museums Palace, which stands out for art, archaeological and naturalistic collections; the Galleria Parmeggiani (Parmeggiani Art Gallery), especially for its XVIII-century collections; the Synagogue; the neoclassical and majestic Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli and the nearby Piazza Martiri del 7 luglio, with its new fountain.

Other places of interest are the Spazio Gerra with its installations of contemporary art from the recent years: from Fabro to Morris, from Sol LeWitt to Mattiacci, the amazing permanent private Collezione Maramotti (Maramotti Art Collection), with works of art of inestimable value, and Palazzo Magnani, the main exhibition location of the town, hosting exhibitions all year, with a special preference for photography and modern art.

Not to be missed

The "Loris Malaguzzi International Centre”, to appreciate the Reggio Emilia educational experience; the centre is an internationally renowned meeting place for researchers and teachers, but also for children and families.
In mid-May, tales and stories transform the town during reggionarra, an event entirely dedicated to children.

What to eat

Do not leave the town without tasting and buying the excellent delicacies of its gastronomy: the Cappelletti or caplèt, the Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia.
In the town bakeries it is possible to find the Erbazzone and the Chizze; in the pastry shops it is possible to find the Spongata, the traditional Rice cake and the Biscione.

For a tour as sparkling as the Lambrusco wine, follow the “Strada dei Vini e Sapori dei Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” (Route of Wines and Flavours of the Hills of Scandiano and Canossa) and the “Strada dei Vini e Sapori delle Corti Reggiane” (Route of Wines and Flavours of the Reggio Emilia Courts) in the northern area of the province.

Keeping fit

For those who want to walk or run, there are the 7 kilometres of the Crostolo cycling - pedestrian route, a green way at the entrance of the town, which may be also covered by bicycle; for those who want to have a swim, the Aquatico swimming pool gives great pleasure to adults and children in summer.
Golf fans can play at the Golf Club Matilde di Canossa.

Main events

Every year, in May: Fotografia Europea (European Photography), an event not to be missed for the enthusiasts of this art; from late September to November, the "Aperto Festival" of Dance and contemporary performing arts.
Reggio Emilia theatres are always interesting for their many and special events that take place all year.
In particular, at the Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre, every three years one of the most important international competitions for String Quartets takes place, the “Premio Paolo Borciani” ("Paolo Borciani Award").

Villages

The whole municipal territory is divided into parts, that once were separated and known as "districts".