Reggio Emilia

<< Emilia-Romagna

Reggio Emilia is a city along the Via Emilia in Emilia-Romagna, located between Parma and Modena. The town was founded by the Romans and lived a period in decadence in the Early Middle Ages, before emerging again as a free comune in the 12th century. Reggio Emilia saw centuries of wars and political instability until the founding of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio, ruled by the Este family. The city remained mostly under the Este rule until the Italian unification, with some short interruptions. In 1797, during the Napoleonic occupation of the city, the Italian green, white, and red flag was displayed for the first time in Reggio Emilia. The city is now an industrial center and it features various historic buildings and attractions.

✪ Tricolour Flag Museum

The Tricolour Flag Museum (Museo del Tricolore) is a museum located inside Palazzo del Comune, the town hall of Reggio Emilia. The exhibition displays the history of the Italian flag through a collection of objects from the Napoleonic age and the Risorgimento. The museum is adjacent to the Sala del Tricolore, the hall in which the Italian tricolor flag was officially adopted for the first time, initially as a symbol of the short-lived Cispadane Republic.

✪ Palazzo dei Musei

Palazzo dei Musei is a former monastery in Reggio Emilia now hosting a series of local museums. The palace houses the Chierici Museum of Palethnology (Museo Chierici di Paletnologia), an exhibition of archaeological findings ranging from prehistory to the Middle Ages. The other main section of Palazzo dei Musei is the rich naturalistic collection, which is focused on zoology, anatomy, and biology. This area also includes the Spallanzani Collection (Collezione Spallanzani), the private collection of 18th-century scientist Lazzaro Spallanzani. Palazzo dei Musei also houses museums on the history of Reggio Emilia in the Roman and Modern age, and it hosts temporary exhibitions.

Reggio Emilia Cathedral

Also known as: Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta (Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta)

The Reggio Emilia Cathedral (Duomo di Reggio Emilia) is a large Romanesque church in the center of Reggio Emilia. Built during the Late Middle Ages, it was later heavily reworked in Renaissance and Baroque style. The facade remained unfinished, while the interior hosts a few interesting artworks.

Diocesan Museum of Reggio Emilia

The Diocesan Museum (Museo Diocesano) houses a rich collection of religious artifacts from the area of Reggio Emilia. The exhibit includes numerous paintings, scuptures, and objects spanning several centuries. The museum is located inside Palazzo Vescovile, adjacent to the Cathedral.

Basilica of San Prospero

The Basilica of San Prospero is a Renaissance church built in Reggio Emilia during the 16th century. The facade of the church is adorned with statues and the building is flanked by an octagonal bell tower. The interior features rich decorations and many artworks, while the main altar hosts the relics of Saint Prosper of Reggio, patron saint of the city.

Temple of Beata Vergine della Ghiara

Also known as: Basilica of Madonna della Ghiara

The Temple of Beata Vergine della Ghiara (Tempio della Beata Vergine della Ghiara) is one of the main religious buildings in Reggio Emilia. The church was erected during the Renaissance on the site of an alleged miracle and soon became a pilgrimage destination. The interiors are richly adorned with impressive frescoes and decorations. A museum of religious artifacts is adjacent to the church.

Galleria Parmeggiani

Galleria Parmeggiani is an art museum housed in a Gothic Revival building erected in 1924. The collection includes various paintings, objects, and pieces of furniture dating from the Renaissance to the 20th century.

Piazze dei Teatri

Piazze dei Teatri is a series of squares in Reggio Emilia, surrounded by interesting attractions. The north side is occupied by a large park known as Public Gardens (Giardini Pubblici), and Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, the main opera house of the city. Palazzo dei Musei is located east of the large square, while another theater, Teatro Ariosto, is on the opposite side, next to Galleria Parmeggiani. The square is also decorated with a fountain and some monuments.

Maramotti Collection

The Maramotti Collection (Collezione Maramotti) is a museum of contemporary art located on the outskirts of Reggio Emilia. The collection includes several works by Italian and foreign artists from the 20th century, and it also features a rich library.

History of Psychiatry Museum

The History of Psychiatry Museum (Museo di Storia della Psichiatria) is a collection of tools and objects once used in a former psychiatric hospital on the outskirts of Reggio Emilia. The exhibit also includes drawings and artifacts made by the patients of the hospital.

Il Mauriziano

Il Mauriziano is a villa surrounded by a park located at the eastern edge of Reggio Emilia. The great Renaissance poet Ludovico Ariosto, who was born in Reggio Emilia, stayed in the villa several times, and the building now serves as a museum.