Holiday apartment in Reggio Emilia: culture, trails and regional cuisine

Reggio Emilia combines important cultural sites with extensive green spaces and trails that connect the city’s history with the surrounding landscape. The Passeggiata Estense connects Reggio Emilia’s city centre with Parco del Crostolo and continues through green spaces to Reggia di Rivalta and Villa d'Este. Historical sites and open landscapes are thus part of a shared spatial context.

Nature and trails

The section of Parco del Crostolo south of Reggio extends over 5.7 million square metres. The Passeggiata del Crostolo comprises approximately 16 kilometres of a combined cycling and walking path that can be used by bicycle or on foot. In addition, CAI trail 646V connects Parco del Crostolo with the Rosta Nuova/Pappagnocca district and Parco delle Acque Chiare. From the city centre, access to the Via Matildica del Volto Santo is via Ponte di San Pellegrino, reached through Porta Castello and Viale Umberto I.

Culture

At Palazzo dei Musei, the history of the Reggio area can be traced from prehistory through the Etruscan presence and Roman conquest to the Early Middle Ages. The building houses collections of art, archaeology and natural sciences. It also has a permanent area with changing exhibitions dedicated to the work of Luigi Ghirri.

Further cultural highlights include Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli, with its neoclassical façade and Doric portico of twelve columns, as well as Galleria Parmeggiani. The latter was formed in 1925 from three 19th-century collections; its holdings include paintings, furniture, textiles, weapons, jewellery and additional paintings. The Galleria is housed in a building constructed between 1925 and 1928 in the Gothic-Renaissance style, based on a design by engineer Ascanio Ferrari.

Basilica della Beata Vergine della Ghiara is considered a masterpiece of Counter-Reformation art. Admission is free. A free app and QR codes on the interior pillars also make it possible to explore historical information and artistic details and to view the paintings under special lighting. During guided tours of Chiostri di San Pietro, which last approximately 45 minutes, the itinerary includes the outdoor garden, historic rooms, the monumental Chiostro Grande, the Sette Sale and the immersive virtual-reality experience “È pericoloso non sporgersi”.

The “Di piazza in piazza” tour leads through Reggio Emilia’s historic centre and connects churches, museums and other attractions. In May, Fotografia Europea, a photography event in Reggio Emilia, adds to the cultural programme.

History

On its ground floor, Museo del Tricolore connects the Italian tricolour with contemporary art, creativity and educational workshops. The first floor recounts the political events in Reggio Emilia from 1796 to the beginning of the Restoration. The museum explains that, on 7 January 1797, delegates from Reggio, Bologna, Modena and Ferrara proclaimed the creation of the Cispadane Republic and the green-white-red flag.

Cuisine

Erbazzone Reggiano is a savoury pie and a symbol of Reggio’s culinary tradition. Traditional balsamic vinegar cellars can be visited in the Reggio area. In the province of Reggio Emilia, visitors can learn about the production of Parmigiano Reggiano at close range during guided tours of cheese dairies.

Other places

Other places: Casale, Montecatini, Tabiano, Rubiera, Regnano, Reggio Nell'emilia, Reggiolo, Montecchio Emilia, Luzzara, Correggio, Castelnovo Di Sotto, Campegine, Brescello, Cadelbosco Di Sopra, Praticello, Salvaterra, Gaida, Baiso, Villarotta, Fabbrico, Campagnola Emilia, Cavriago, Scandiano, Bagnolo In Piano, Vezzano Sul Crostolo, La Villa, Quattro Castella, Gualtieri, Toano, Massenzatico, Carpineti, Viano, San Polo D'enza, Canossa, Ramiseto, Cecciola, Cerreto Alpi, Poviglio, Novellara, Lignano, San Bartolomeo, Cervarezza, Casina, Castellarano, San Donnino Di Liguria, San Martino In Rio, Rolo, Cerreto Laghi, Castelnovo Ne' Monti, Monteduro, Bosco, Bibbiano, Sant'ilario D'enza, Casalgrande, Villa Minozzo, Collagna, Gattatico, Castellazzo, Succiso Nuovo, Borzano, Fogliano, Il Cantone di Pieve Modolena, Ligonchio, La Collina, San Giovanni, Bagno, Vecchia, Cerredolo, Febbio, Barco, Albinea.

If you are considering a holiday apartment in Reggio Emilia, you can compare the offers on the respective offer pages. This means that the city’s cultural destinations, trails and culinary stops remain the starting point, while the specific accommodation details are shown where they are bindingly provided.

Getting there

Stazione AV Mediopadana is the only high-speed railway station between Milan and Bologna and was designed by Santiago Calatrava.

To the overarching travel overview: Emilia-Romagna.