Where do we stay? Situated in Northern Italy, in the Po Valley, at about 50 km from Bologna, on the Via Emilia, Reggio Emilia borders Parma’s territory to the west and Modena’s territory to the east. In the north, the River Po separates its territory from the province of Mantua, while in the south the Apennines mark the border with Liguria and Tuscany.
Why visit Reggio Emilia? Reggio, also known as the Tricolour town, because it was here that the future Italian flag was adopted for the first time in 1797, has an ancient history: in the 11th century, the town was the heart of Matilde’s county in the neighbouring territory. Later, important figures marked its Renaissance, ranging from Boiardo to Ariosto, the great poet of The Orlando Furioso. Nowadays, famous for its gastronomy, lifestyle quality and, internationally, the “best kindergartens in the world”, Reggio is also a city of art, whose symbols are the seventeenth-century Basilica della Ghiara and the famous Teatro Municipale. Contemporary signs are visible, for whose driving along the A1 motorway, in the bridges designed by architect Santiago Calatrava for the Alta Velocità (High Speed) station.
Where to visit and what to see? The best seasons are spring and autumn because of the weather and the many events held in the town. The visit itinerary may start from the Sala del Tricolore (Tricolour Hall) and its Museum, which goes over the historical events with Napoleonic memorabilia and relics of the Risorgimento. The visit may continue in the nearby Piazza Prampolini or Piazza Grande, with its statue of the Torrent Crostolo and, by crossing the Broletto arcades, reach the small Piazza San Prospero, seat of the traditional market and, then, Piazza Fontanesi, a sort of open sitting room surrounded by trees. The Cathedral, the Baptistery and the Town Hall overlook Piazza Grande, while Piazza San Prospero is dominated by the Basilica dedicated to the Patron Saint. A must to see are the Basilica della Madonna della Ghiara, a vestige of the Emilian Baroque that contains precious masterworks such as the celebrated Guercino's "Crucifixion", as well as a cycle of frescoes illustrating the female figures of the Old Testament; the Museum Palace, which stand out for their art, archaeological and naturalistic collections; the Galleria Parmeggiani, especially for its 19th-century collections; the Synagogue; the neoclassical and stately Teatro Municipale and the nearby Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio, with its new fountain. Other places of interest are the Spazio Gerra with its installations of contemporary art of the last years: from Fabro to Morris, from Sol Lewitt to Mattiacci, until the amazing permanent private collection Maramotti, which displays works of art of inestimable value, and Palazzo Magnani, the main exhibition seat of the town, hosting exhibitions all year long, with a particular preference for photography and modern art.
Where to eat? Do not leave the town without tasting and buying the excellent delicacies of its gastronomy: the cappelletti or caplètt, the Parmesan cheese and the Traditional Balsamic Vinegar. In the town bakeries, it is possible to find the erbazzone and the chizze, in the pastry shops, the spongata, the traditional rice cake and the biscione. For an itinerary as sparkling as the wine Lambrusco, follow the “Strada dei Vini e Sapori dei Colli di Scandiano e Canossa” (the route of wines and flavours of the hills of Scandiano and Canossa) and the “Strada dei Vini e Sapori delle Corti Reggiane” (the route of wines and flavours of the Reggio Emilia courts) in the northern area of the province.
Residence del Carbone
The residence is located in the heart of the historical centre of Reggio Emilia, 2 minutes walk from Piazza Duomo - the main square. The building consists of 2 and 3 bedroom apartments. Each one has access to the kitchen and bathroom. Each of the apartments has a washing machine and kitchen utensils necessary to prepare meals and a microwave oven. The accommodation provides towels, blankets and sheets. More info and photos here.