Reggio Emilia
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 31 October 2023
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The city of Reggio Emilia is the capital city of the Province of Reggio Emilia with a population of 171,999 inhabitants.
Standing at an elevation of 58 metres above sea level, it covers a total area of 231 km² and lies 71 kilometres north west of Bologna, the regional capital of Emilia Romagna. The city is very easy to visit on foot with all of the main sights within easy walking distance. The first place to start any itinerary is Piazza San Prospero which is home to the eponymous Basilica. |
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Reggio Emilia's market squares
On Tuesdays and Fridays it's market day in Reggio Emilia and much of the activity takes place outside the Basilica di San Prospero. From there, it's just a short walk to the city's second main square which is Piazza Prampolini. The square is dominated by the Romanesque Reggio Emilia Cathedral along one of the rectangular sides and the Palazzo del Monte di Pietà with its clock tower on one of the shorter sides.
Sightseeing Reggio Emilia
Most of Reggio Emilia's main sights are huddled together in the areas in and around the above piazzas and one of the oldest buildings is the 13th century Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo which nowadays houses the Hotel Posta. Across Piazza Prampolini on the other side of the cathedral lies another important institution: the Museo del Tricolore. The museum is entirely given over to the history of the Italian flag (known as the Tricolore), as it was here that Napoleon's Cispadane Republic was formed in 1797 and the red, white and green flag was first used.
Aside from the outdoor markets, the centre of Reggio Emilia is full of shops. At one corner of Piazza Prampolini there's an archway that leads to one of the best shopping streets, called Via Farini. Continuing along Via Farini you'll eventually come to another important church: the Chiesa di San Giorgio. If you then continue right to the end of Via Farini you'll find yourself on the expansive boulevard of Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi. A right turn here and a 5 minute walk (450 metres) will bring you to another of the most important churches in the city: the Basilica della Ghiara.
Aside from the outdoor markets, the centre of Reggio Emilia is full of shops. At one corner of Piazza Prampolini there's an archway that leads to one of the best shopping streets, called Via Farini. Continuing along Via Farini you'll eventually come to another important church: the Chiesa di San Giorgio. If you then continue right to the end of Via Farini you'll find yourself on the expansive boulevard of Corso Giuseppe Garibaldi. A right turn here and a 5 minute walk (450 metres) will bring you to another of the most important churches in the city: the Basilica della Ghiara.
The modern area of Reggio Emilia
Leaving the Basilica della Ghiara and walking again for around 5 minutes brings you to the final area of main sights in the city. Although this area has a much more modern feel to it, it still retains its own charm and some places of interest. There are two large squares that seem to be one but they have distinct areas. Following the route above, the first one you'll come to is Piazza della Vittoria and just off the piazza lies the Galleria Parmeggiani with its collection of European art, costumes and sculptures.
Back on Piazza della Vittoria; to one side there's the Ariosto Theatre and that lies just in front of the Parco del Popolo, a large, relaxing park area. Beside the park is the second square called Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio 1960 which is dominated by the more famous theatre, the Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli. The other major building on this piazza is the Palazzo dei Musei which houses Reggio Emilia's Civic Museums (Musei Civici).
Back on Piazza della Vittoria; to one side there's the Ariosto Theatre and that lies just in front of the Parco del Popolo, a large, relaxing park area. Beside the park is the second square called Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio 1960 which is dominated by the more famous theatre, the Teatro Municipale Romolo Valli. The other major building on this piazza is the Palazzo dei Musei which houses Reggio Emilia's Civic Museums (Musei Civici).
Comune di Reggio nell'Emilia
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Province: Reggio Emilia
Region: Emilia Romagna Population: 170,601 (source: ISTAT 1 January 2022) Size: 231 km² Elevation: 58 metres Highlights: Basilica di San Prospero, Museo del Tricolore Market days: Tuesdays and Fridays |
Reggio Emilia Travel
Reggio Emilia's train station is located to the east of the city centre, a 15 minute walk (1.3 km) from Piazza Prampolini. Trains from Reggio Emilia to Bologna take 40 minutes, stopping along the way in Modena (16 minutes).
This same train continues its mammoth journey all the way to Lecce, the centre of the Salento in southern Italy's Puglia region. After Bologna this train stops in further Emilia Romagna towns including Faenza (1 hour 13 minutes), Forlì (1 hour 24 minutes), Cesena (1 hour 38 minutes) and Rimini (2 hours 1 minute).
The most convenient airport for Reggio Emilia is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport which is 46 minutes by car, a distance of 67 kilometres. The next best alternative is Verona Airport which lies 118 kilometres to the north and takes an hour and a quarter by car.
This same train continues its mammoth journey all the way to Lecce, the centre of the Salento in southern Italy's Puglia region. After Bologna this train stops in further Emilia Romagna towns including Faenza (1 hour 13 minutes), Forlì (1 hour 24 minutes), Cesena (1 hour 38 minutes) and Rimini (2 hours 1 minute).
The most convenient airport for Reggio Emilia is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport which is 46 minutes by car, a distance of 67 kilometres. The next best alternative is Verona Airport which lies 118 kilometres to the north and takes an hour and a quarter by car.
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Public transport: train station 1.3 km from centre, local buses
By train: Modena - 16 minutes, Bologna - 40 minutes Recommended accommodation: Hotel Posta |
