Reggio Emilia

1. Best things to do in Reggio Emilia (Emilia Romagna)

In Via Allegri is impossible not to notice the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia. In front of it, some comfortable benches in the shape of chairs to allow citizens and visitors a quick glance at the beautiful public park that is located right there.

Along Via Allegri, do not miss Victoria Square, and Martyrs Square July 7, with the beautiful Municipal Theater dedicated to Romolo Valli, a famous actor. Luciano Pavarotti debuted here, many years ago. And here today a beautiful refreshing fountain find place.

How can we forget Prampolini Square, the heart of the historic center. The classical Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Baptistery open the way to the Broletto, characteristic street of arcades that leads to Piazza San Prospero, the small square, opposed to the large Prampolini one: this is the home of the city farmer market, a tradition made of good food and local products.

Via Farini offers a good choice of local "swag" and innovative, do not forget the Panizzi Library, home for many exhibitions and initiatives.

In Piazza Fontanesi let’s find the organic market (or peasant market) which takes place every Saturday morning.

The products are organic and Kmo as far as possible. Cereals, flour and sugar grains, vegetables and fruits.

2. Castels, hills and surroundings

The land of Reggio Emilia are lands of castles, hills and plains.

Novellara, the capital of the Gonzaga, offers a fortress to be discovered: decorated rooms with frescoes and beautiful utensils perfectly preserved.

Just as medieval and ancient Montecchio with its magnificent castle containing a library and Montechiarugolo with the sixteenth-century castle where it seems the ghost of the Fata Bema roams.

The course of Enza river is clearly visible from the porch, like a coil of water in defense of its integrity.

3. Taste and Local Food

The two kings in this piece of green plain are the famous Parmigiano Reggiano and the King pig.

As you surely know Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese is produced exclusively from milk of cows from selected farms with painstaking care: a good and healthy ambassador for Emilia in the world.

And then comes the pig, in all its forms.

The Greaves which are obtained after removing the hot bacon pork scraps, are actually an extremely refined product with its balance of taste and flavor. Roasted they are a crispy and alternative snack. You can chew them in flakes sipping Lambrusco, the best local red wine.

Salami Fiorettino is a mountain product who wants to compete with the precious Parma salami. Its main feature are the pieces of fat in the shape of cubes and the white powder of which it is covered.

The buzzilan is a typical donut. Made of simple ingredients such as flour, butter and lemon becomes a dessert of great value, served with sweet wines and Malvasia wines of the region.

The gnocco fritto is the cousin of Parmesan torta fritta: a light puff pastry flour fried in lard to give the palate a bundle filled with air and taste. It can be eat with cured meats and it is the undisputed protagonist of festivals and country fairs.

As a desserts you can not miss to taste the Pattona.

Last but not least, pumpkin ravioli. The classic Emilian pasta stuffed with pumpkin and topped with crushed sage and bureaucratic. The mix of flavors and is unique and unforgettable: basic ingredients perfectly blanded with the sweetness of the pumpkin.

For dinner, try the Bancia bio - Bio Risto Café, which serves breakfast to start your day at the best and offers buffet menus for lunches and dinners. The food is natural, vegan and vegetarian: it will help you to maintain a balanced energy for body and mind for the whole day.

4. Nature, sport and green itineraries

Thanks to the support of UISP Committee of Reggio Emilia and the Emilia Romagna region, the classic Reggio Emilia Marathon has initiated a process to gradually reduce the environmental impact of the event.

They are triying to enjoy walking with less impact, to make the Reggio Emilia Marathon a truly sustainable event (induced transport, waste products, etc..).

By bike you can enjoy a beautiful location in the middle of nature called Le caprette. Alongside the river Crostolo that sizes Reggio Emilia. A route full of lawns and mature trees, and it is also on foot, with a little good will!

Biking through the streets of the inner campaign you can reach very characteristic villages: one for all, Gualtieri, with a small square of unexpected beauty. Here you can also try riding a horse at association Ca 'Cum Ranch. First try for children and athletic competitions such as team penning for experts; everything in the evocative setting of the long bank of Crostolo.

A path that comes down to the nearby Guastalla, where you can not miss an aperitif in the beautiful Peace in Po a structure that overlooks the waters of the Great River Po with a series of kiosks where you can spend a pleasant evening with some friends.

Another place for cycling is the internal road leading to the village of Rivalta, only a few kilometers from the city. Along this road enjoy the wonderful mountains of the Apennines: simple but unique pleasure.

5. Where to stay in the city and surrounding

Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in the province of Reggio Emilia, from organic farms surrounded by hills and castels, small B&B set in old villages, beautiful accommodations overlooking the nature of Po river.

Discover all eco-friendly accommodations in Reggio Emilia

Author: Angela Sebastianelli

Cover photo: Reggio Emilia province landscape with the beautiful Pietra di Bismantova.