REGGIO EMILIA

ancient and contemporary

The best seasons are spring and autumn because of the mild climateand the numerous events taking place in the town.

Located in northern Italy, in the heart of the Po valley, the Province ofReggio Emilia is defined in its northern side by the Po river whichseparates it from the Province of Mantua. The Province of Reggio Emiliaborders Parma in its western side, Modena in its eastern side, while theApennines mark the border on Liguria and Tuscany in its southern side.There are more than 500,000 inhabitants, 229 for every square metre.It is one of the nine provinces of the Emilia-Romagna region, one of thewealthiest regions in Europe.

THE TERRITORY

Province ofModena

Province ofParma

Provinceof Lucca

Province ofMassaCarrara

Province ofMantova

hillplain

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The town of Reggio Emilia is best known as TTTTTooooown of the Twn of the Twn of the Twn of the Twn of the Tricolourricolourricolourricolourricolour..... Inthe Tricolour Hall, January 7, 1797 representatives of the towns of Reggio,Modena, Bologna and Ferrara proclaimed the Tricolour as the officialflag of the Cispadana Republic. It then became the national flagcelebrated every year on January 7 through an important event.

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It is possible to start the tour ofReggio Emilia in the Tricolour Halldesigned by the architect Bologniniinside the Municipal Building in1774. On the first floor is theTricolour Museum; on display aredocuments, objects and relicsconcerning the history of thenational flag, its origin andhistorical events. It is also possibleto find multimedia instruments.

WHAT TO SEE

1- Hall of theTricolour Flag

2- Tricolour Museum1 2

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The visit continues in the nearbyPiazza PrampoliniPiazza PrampoliniPiazza PrampoliniPiazza PrampoliniPiazza Prampolini or PiazzaGrande, the most important townsquare, where it is possible to findthe main civic and religiousbuildings, including the Cathedraland Romanesque Baptistry, and theTown Hall. The religious buildingsare on the east side, and the TownHall is on the south side. The oldhouse of the Notaries with anarcade is on the west side. On thenorth side, occupied by Del MontePalace, is a statue depicting theCrostolo RiverCrostolo RiverCrostolo RiverCrostolo RiverCrostolo River which was in theVilla D’Este Park at Rivalta.

The Romanesque-constructionCathedralCathedralCathedralCathedralCathedral was built around 857.In the 15th century its style wasadapted to the architectural stylesof that time. The statue of theMadonna and Infant with Fiordibellihusband and wife (benefactors)dominates on the front of thetower. Made of gold-embossedcopper plate, it is a goldsmith’swork by the local artist BartolomeoSpani. Inside are works byGuercino, Palma the Young,Passignano, Pomarancio as well ascontemporary artists like Kounel-lis, Parmiggiani, Nagasawa, Spal-letti and Pompili. A IV-century

mosaic belonging to a patriciandomus was found in the Cathedralcrypt (XII-XIII centuries) duringrestoration works in 2009.

1- Piazza Prampolini2- Crostolo River statue

3- Cathedral

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Close to the Cathedral is thethethethetheBaptistryBaptistryBaptistryBaptistryBaptistry dating back to 1040-1049. There are notable frescoeswith the Baptism of Christ (XVcentury) and the Verona-red-marblebaptismal font. On the outside, itis possible to see marks linked tothe market that took place inPiazza Prampolini at that time.

The TTTTTooooown Hallwn Hallwn Hallwn Hallwn Hall has a compositeappearance as it is a derivation ofpre-existing buildings. The date of1414 inscribed on a sandstoneblock indicates the start of itsconstruction. The Town Hall façade,enhanced by a three-arched porticowith coupled pillars, was re-built in1774, according to a design byLudovico Bolognini. The TThe TThe TThe TThe TooooownwnwnwnwnHallHallHallHallHall coat of arms is located underthe roof cornice. Some internalrooms are decorated with XVIII-century frescoes and XIX-centurypaintings.

1- Baptistry2- Marble Font

3- Town Hall4- Coat of Arms

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Walking through the BrolettoBrolettoBrolettoBrolettoBrolettoarcadesarcadesarcadesarcadesarcades, it is possible to reachPiazza San ProsperoPiazza San ProsperoPiazza San ProsperoPiazza San ProsperoPiazza San Prospero with theBasilica of the same namededicated to the Holy Patron ofReggio Emilia. The Church ischaracterized by the imposing XVI-century bell tower made of

octagonal stone which is, althoughstill unfinished, one of the mostremarkable Renaissance works inReggio Emilia. Inside are works byLudovico Carracci and AlessandroTiarini. Piazza San Prospero isknown as «Piasa Céca»,marketsquare charac-terized by traditional

arcades, stalls and its Verona-red-marble lions.

Close to Piazza San Prospero isPiazza FontanesiPiazza FontanesiPiazza FontanesiPiazza FontanesiPiazza Fontanesi, one of thenicest squares that hosts thefarmer’s market every Saturday, aswell as the traditional market withPiazza San Prospero, Piazza Pram-polini and Piazza Martiri del 7luglio.

1- Broletto arcades2- Basilica di San Prospero

3- Piazza Fontanesi

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Along Corso Garibaldi, windingavenue that was the layer of theCrostolo river in the past, is PalazzoPalazzoPalazzoPalazzoPalazzoMagnaniMagnaniMagnaniMagnaniMagnani. It is the main exhibitionseat of the town, hosting exhibi-tions all year long, with a particularpreference for photography andmodern art. The Palace has a neo-classical façade and is locatedalong the flow of the Crostolo river,whose pebbles were used during itsconstruction.

1- Palazzo Magnani2- Don Mc Cullin, exhibition

3- Shozo Shimamoto, exhibition

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Another remarkable monument isthe Basilica of Madonna dellaBasilica of Madonna dellaBasilica of Madonna dellaBasilica of Madonna dellaBasilica of Madonna dellaGhiara, Ghiara, Ghiara, Ghiara, Ghiara, whose name comes fromthe fact that it was built along theflow of the Crostolo river with biggravel sediments. The Church,designed by Alessandro Balbo(1597-1619) and finished byFrancesco Pacchioni, has a Greek-cross plan and deep apse. The artcritique Federico Zeri defined it“the most important example ofEmilian Mannerism”. Inside arevaluable works of art like Guerci-no’s Crucifixion, paintings byTiarini, Carracci and Talami, as wellas a cycle of frescoes on thefemale characters of the OldTestament. That’s why the Basilicadella Ghiara is traditionally called“the woman’s church”.

Along Corso Cairoli it is possibleto find Spazio Gerra,Spazio Gerra,Spazio Gerra,Spazio Gerra,Spazio Gerra, where areon display numerous expressionsof contemporary art, like photo-graphy, advertising, television,cinema, graphic art, illustration,comics, projections, video andcomputer.

1- Basilica della Ghiara, sight2- Basilica della Ghiara, inside

3- Spazio Gerra

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Not to be missed is theneighbouring Piazza Martiri delPiazza Martiri delPiazza Martiri delPiazza Martiri delPiazza Martiri del7 Luglio7 Luglio7 Luglio7 Luglio7 Luglio with the imposingMunicipal Theatre, Municipal Theatre, Municipal Theatre, Municipal Theatre, Municipal Theatre, built inneoclassical style in 1852-1857and dedicated to the ReggioEmilia-born actor Romolo Valli. Thenew fountain, with its water andcolour effects, was inaugurated in2008.

1- Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio2- «Romolo Valli» Municipal Theatre

3- Theatre with fountain, at night

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Inside an odd and eclectic buildingis PPPPParmeggiani Ararmeggiani Ararmeggiani Ararmeggiani Ararmeggiani Art Gallert Gallert Gallert Gallert Galleryyyyy, , , , , thathosts a wide collection of objectsand paintings by Ignacio Escosuraand Cesare Detti, as well as acollection of fake works of the XIXcentury from Paris-based Marcygoldsmith’s shop.The Civic Museum Civic Museum Civic Museum Civic Museum Civic Museum inside Palaz-Palaz-Palaz-Palaz-Palaz-zo San Fzo San Fzo San Fzo San Fzo San Francescorancescorancescorancescorancesco is characte-rized by nature collections(Spallanzani Collection), art collec-tions (Fontanesi Gallery andAntonio Ligabue Hall) andarchaeological collections (ChiericiMuseum and Roman Museum).

1- Palazzo San Francescoseat of the Civic Museum

2- Parmeggiani Art Gallery3- Parmeggiani Art Gallery, inside

4- Civic Museum, inside4

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Not to be missed are also recentcontemporary art installationscontemporary art installationscontemporary art installationscontemporary art installationscontemporary art installations:from Fabro to Morris, from SolLewitt to Mattiacci. Through theconstruction of four permanentworks of art located in historicalareas of the town, the Municipalityof Reggio Emilia has planned togive a new look to the urban fabric,upgrading it through a dialoguebetween art and architecture. Anew kind of museum where artworklives in constant dialogue with itssurroundings. The artist ClaudioParmiggiani is the author andeditor of the project.

1- WHIRLS AND TWIRLS 1, Sol LeWitt- Panizzi Library

2- DANZA DI ASTRI E STELLE, Eliseo Mattiacci- National Dance Foundation3- L’ARABA FENICE, Luciano Fabro

- University4- LESS THAN, Robert Morris

- Cloisters of San Domenico

CONTEMPORARY TRENDS

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Loris Malaguzzi Childhood International Centre Loris Malaguzzi Childhood International Centre Loris Malaguzzi Childhood International Centre Loris Malaguzzi Childhood International Centre Loris Malaguzzi Childhood International Centre (viaBligny, 1) is dedicated to the pedagogist who created andinspired Reggio Approach, the worldwide famouseducational method for pre-school children. It is an

internationally-renowned meeting place for researchers and teachers,but also for children and families. Inside the centre are: exhibition area,auditorium, ateliers/workshops open to both children and their families,as well as the Documentation and Educational Research Centre. TheCentre also hosts the main headquarters of “Reggio ChildrenFoundation”, the association established to promote and defendchildren’s rights. In addition to the numerous municipal nursery schools,the first primary school inspired to Reggio Approach was built here in2009.

In what was previously known asthe headquarters of Lombardinifoundry (via della Costituzione, 39), todayis the National Dance Founda-National Dance Founda-National Dance Founda-National Dance Founda-National Dance Founda-tion “tion “tion “tion “tion “AAAAAttttterballeerballeerballeerballeerballetttttttttto”.o”.o”.o”.o”. It is the maindance production company in Italy,the most important for ballet, andhas therefore gained internationalrecognition.

1- RAGGIO DI LUCE ATELIER, International Centre2- Aterballetto

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The former headquarters of MaxMara (via F.lli Cervi, 66) now hostMaramotti Contemporary ArtMaramotti Contemporary ArtMaramotti Contemporary ArtMaramotti Contemporary ArtMaramotti Contemporary ArtCollectionCollectionCollectionCollectionCollection, which hosts remarka-ble artworks as well as exhibitionsand contemporary projects.

Evgeny Antufiev, Untitled, 2010

wire, fabric, glue, dog’s and wolf’steeth

Chinga meteorite, silk, deer’s horm

Evgeny Antufiev,Untitled, 2012

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1- Collezione Maramotti, inside2- UNTITLED, Evgeny Antufiev

3- PARALLEL UNIVERSE, Jules de Balincourt 3

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The three bridges,The three bridges,The three bridges,The three bridges,The three bridges, which were built from a design by the Spanisharchitect Santiago CalatravaSantiago CalatravaSantiago CalatravaSantiago CalatravaSantiago Calatrava, are now the doorway to Reggio Emilia.Through their light and curvy shapes, they present Reggio Emilia in theXXI century.

In 2013 the new High-Speed Railway Station High-Speed Railway Station High-Speed Railway Station High-Speed Railway Station High-Speed Railway Station was inauguratedaccording to the Catalan architect’s design, and is the only stop betweenMilan and Bologna on the High-Speed railway line.

In the same year, the first regionalTTTTTecnopoloecnopoloecnopoloecnopoloecnopolo (T(T(T(T(Tececececechnical Whnical Whnical Whnical Whnical Worororororkkkkk-shop)-shop)-shop)-shop)-shop)for Research andfor Research andfor Research andfor Research andfor Research and Innovation Innovation Innovation Innovation Innovationwas inaugurated in a warehouse ofthe former Officine MeccanicheReggiane (piazzale Europa, 1) in theheart of the Park of Knowledge,Innovation and Creativity.

1- Calatrava’s bridges2-3-4- High-speed Mediopadana

Railway Station5- Technical Workshop

for Research and Innovation

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20 km south of the town, in the hills near Reggio Emilia, the importanceof the Medieval period has been well preserved in time through thecastles of Bianello, Sarzano, Montecchio, Carpineti, Rossena andCanossa, which form the heart of the ancient County of Matilda. Thecastle of Canossa has only a portion of the outer walls still standing

and, inside this area, are the cryptof Saint Apollonio Church and thesmall “Naborre Campanini”National Museum. The phrase“Andare a Canossa” (Go toCanossa), translated into over 30languages, is used as a synonymof repentance and forgiveness forwhat happened in the cold winterof 1077: Emperor Henry IV waitedthree days and three nights -barefoot, naked, in sackcloth andashes - for Pope Gregory VII’sforgiveness through Matilde diCanossa’s intercession.

NEARBY

1- Castle of Canossa1

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In the Apennines is the Pietra di BismantovaPietra di BismantovaPietra di BismantovaPietra di BismantovaPietra di Bismantova (Rock of Bismantova),mentioned by Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy: a huge naturalsandstone monolith that towers over the town of Castelnovo né Monti,whose height is 1047 metres.The Apennines are mainly located in the Tuscan-Emilian National Park.

1- Rock of Bismantova2- Apennines ridge with Mount Cusna

(2121 mt) _photo by Gianluca Fantini3- Battisti Refuge (1759 mt) _photo

by Giovanni Fontanesi

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1- Piazza Bentivoglio, Gualtieri2- La Rocca, Novellara

3- Palazzo dei Principi, Correggio4- Boiardo Fortress, Scandiano

North of Reggio Emilia areGualtieriGualtieriGualtieriGualtieriGualtieri, with its majestic piazzaBentivoglio and its Museumdedicated to Antonio Ligabue, thefamous painter who lived there,and Novellara Novellara Novellara Novellara Novellara with Gonzagafortress and museum. North-east ofReggio Emilia is Correggio, Correggio, Correggio, Correggio, Correggio, withits well-preserved old town centreand its Palazzo dei Principi. Southof the city another destination isScandiano, Scandiano, Scandiano, Scandiano, Scandiano, with its impressiveBoiardo fortress.

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1- Picture from the film DON CAMILLO, by the novelof Giovanni Guareschi

2- Sunset on the Po river3- Museum of Don Camillo and Peppone

Along the Po river, 30 km fromReggio Emilia, are Guastalla,Guastalla,Guastalla,Guastalla,Guastalla,Brescello and BorettoBrescello and BorettoBrescello and BorettoBrescello and BorettoBrescello and Boretto where itis possibile to visit the “DonCamillo and Peppone” Museumand/or enjoy a boat trip.

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FLAVOURS

Spongata Rice cake Biscione

1- Cappelletti2- Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese3- Traditional Balsamic Vinegar

of Reggio Emilia4- Erbazzone

5- DOC Lambrusco wine

Do not leave the town without tasting and buying the excellent delicaciesof its gastronomy: cappelletticappelletticappelletticappelletticappelletti or caplètt, spinach and pumpkinspinach and pumpkinspinach and pumpkinspinach and pumpkinspinach and pumpkintttttororororortttttelliellielliellielli, PPPPParmigiano-Rarmigiano-Rarmigiano-Rarmigiano-Rarmigiano-Reggiano Cheese eggiano Cheese eggiano Cheese eggiano Cheese eggiano Cheese and the Tthe Tthe Tthe Tthe Traditional Balsa-raditional Balsa-raditional Balsa-raditional Balsa-raditional Balsa-mic Vinegarmic Vinegarmic Vinegarmic Vinegarmic Vinegar. It is possible to find erbazzoneerbazzoneerbazzoneerbazzoneerbazzone and ccccchizzehizzehizzehizzehizze in the bakeries,as well as spongata, spongata, spongata, spongata, spongata, the traditional rice cakerice cakerice cakerice cakerice cake and biscione biscione biscione biscione biscione in the

pastry shops. For a sparklingitinerary like Lambrusco wineLambrusco wineLambrusco wineLambrusco wineLambrusco wine,follow the “Route of Wines andFlavours”.

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More useful tools to discover our city, are available at our Tourist Information Office (IAT)

printed in March 2014

open every day8.30 a.m. - 1.00 p.m. / 2.30 - 6.00 p.m.Sunday 9.00 a.m. - 12.00www.facebook.com/IatReggioEmilia

via Farini, 1/aI-42121 Reggio Emiliawww.municipio.re.it/turismoiat@municipio.re.ittel. 0522 451152

Regione Emilia-Romagnainformazioneaccoglienzaturistica

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