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Reggio Emilia is not as touristy as Venice, nor as impressive as Florence, nor as overwhelming as Rome or as modern as Milan. Rather, it is a quieter city, in the heart of the Emilia Romagna region; belonging to the Po Valley.
It has its charms and is also very easy to walk around, with its architectural gems, varied squares and beautiful buildings. It also boasts of being the city of bicycles in the Italian country and of the European Festival of Photography, of great international interest. The city on the Via Emilia dates back to the 2nd century B.C.; it was founded as a Roman colony.
For a long time its economy was based on agriculture, being well known both for its Parmesan cheese and Lambrusco wine. By the twentieth century, small industries began to develop, which later became large companies, especially in the textile sector, in the ceramics industry and in the mechanics for agriculture.
This industrial growth brought immigration from other countries, such as Africa, especially from the central and northern parts of the continent. Also, from some eastern parts such as India, Pakistan and China; also from Eastern Europe.
Today it is a very quiet place to rest, with a pedestrianized historic center. It is also suitable for cycling and it is also the city where the famous Italian tricolor flag was born; with its red, white and green colors.
What kind of attractions can we see in Reggio Emilia?
Reggio Emilia, also known for its quality of life, its gastronomy and the most beautiful nursery schools on the planet, also has a lot of art. There are really many interesting places to visit. Among them we have, for example, walking through its squares in the heart of the city, which is of great interest to tourists.
Also, if we want to know the most beautiful church, we locate it in the Alcazar de San Prospero, of great interest to any historian. Likewise, the Tricolor Museum, where we will learn a little about the history and patriotism.
On the other hand, we have the Cloisters, such as the Cloister of San Pietro, which was renovated, and the Ghiara Cloister. In addition, it also has the Romolo Valli Municipal Theater, which is a symbol of the city; and the Bibioteca Panizzi, ideal for those who like reading.
For design lovers you can photograph the Mediopadana High Speed Railway Station and the Three Bridges of Calatrava. Very particular steel structures, designed by Santiago Calatrava, showing the contemporary world.
For hikers, a walk in nature, at the level of the National Park of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines; created in 2001, with 228 square kilometers of extension. Area dominated by different summits, waterfalls, lakes, streams and pastures. The Bismantova Stone is characterized by its vertical walls. Anyway, these are just a few places, as there are many more.
Prampolini Square in the city center:
Its historic center can be easily explored by bicycle or, if you prefer, on foot. And the main points are both in Piazza Camillo Prampolini and Piazza San Prospero. The locals also call Piazza Prampoli the Piazza Grande, if compared to that of San Prospero; moreover, important points of both religious and political life are hosted in this square.
Prampolini is named after the politician born in this region of Reggio Emilia in 1859, a symbolic figure and reformer of socialism; he was also a journalist and lawyer. It is said to have been built according to Romanesque architecture in 875 and was called the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta; today Cathedral of Reggio Emilia.
Over the years, it has undergone several alterations until it reached its present appearance; some of the statues of the time are still visible on the front or façade. The internal part contains the crypt, construction of the XIII century approximately; it contains 42 columns with fragmentary capitals that have the function of sustaining the vault. The ancient altar contains the bodies of some saints.
We also find the Episcopal and Monte Palace, where the famous Civic Tower is located, with its clock. And in front of the Palazzo del Monte is the Statue of Crostolo, which is a monument, an important symbol to remember the river with the same name. There is a project to bring water directly to the statue and transform it into a fountain.
We also have the City Hall, where the Tricolor Room is located, which is currently used as the City Council Hall of the city. The origin of this room was in 1768, when it was decided to build a central state archive; but at the end of the work the purpose of the room was changed, due to the amount of documents it contained; preventing a fire in the future.
Then, a commission is created to make the decision of the use for this room, and in 1797 the fleeting Republic of Napoleon’s Cispadana is first proclaimed, and the current Italian flag of green, white and red color is adopted for the first time, changing the blue it had from the French flag for the green tone; color of those who fought for the country voluntarily.
Adjacent to the Tricolor Hall is located the Tricolor Museum, which is dedicated to that great day of the flag of Italy. In 2017 the museum was expanded and is now divided into 3 different floors, which include relics and documents that relate to the history of the flag; in addition to evidence that had the end of Napoleon’s time, among others.
Continuing the tour we find, in Piazza Luigi Roversi, the Church of Christ, an eighteenth-century chapel that has been transformed; with a facade of 3 marble statues representing the famous 3 virtues: Faith, Hope and Charity. Inside, the 19th century altar contains the fresco of the Crucified Christ, with the Virgin of Sorrows kneeling at his feet.
Then, about 5 minutes or 350 m away, we find Corso Garibaldi, where we will find the Basilica della Ghiara, which dates back to the sixteenth century. It has a very classical baroque style, which houses the frescoes of the best Emilian artists of the time, such as Alessandro Tiarini, Luca Ferrari, Orazio Talami, among others.
The façade has Ionic columns in the upper part and Doric columns in the lower part; made of laterite, plus inserts in white Verona marble. Likewise, the central portal has marble bas-relief and the Virgin of Ghiara. Internally it has decorations in gilding, marble and the different frescoes that cover the vaults and the dome, the ceiling, among other works.
The Basilica of San Prospero and its tower in Piazza San Prospero:
About 6 minutes from the city center is located the Basilica of San Prospero, dedicated to the patron saint of the place. It was built in 997 in baroque style and is characterized by a facade with 6 lions in red Verona marble and 11 statues of the saints and doctors of the church. Also, on the right side of the façade, the unfinished octagonal bell tower can be seen.
The internal part of the Basilica is divided into 3 naves; its vault shows the 17th century frescoes by Procaccini Camillo, representing the Last Judgment. The woodwork of 1546 has rural landscapes, urban perspectives and still lifes; artistic work of marquetry.
Not far from there, walking along Via Aemilia, you reach Piazza dei Teatri, where the Municipal Theater is located: the Cesare Zavattini Theater, which is known as the Cavallerizza Theater and the Ariosto Theater.
The Cloisters of San Pietro and Prospero:
These Cloisters are also located in the center of the city or old town, near the church of the same name. They are located inside the convent of San Pietro, built in 1524 by Benedictine monks and where the church of San Pietro was located in 1140. The smallest one dates from the same date of the construction of the convent, in Renaissance style.
Then, in 1580 the Great Cloister was built in Mannerist style, thus replacing the church of San Pietro with these new structures. Today this ancient monastery, after some restorations, is a cultural center of contemporary projects, a laboratory of ideas for the socialization and innovation of the city.
