Reggio Emilia Sights

Sights in Reggio Emilia

  1. A

    Musei Civici

    To the north of Chiesa di San Prospero, the Musei Civici include Palazzo San Francesco, with its eclectic collection of mainly 18th-century art and archaeological discoveries, and the Galleria Parmeggiani, which boasts some worthwhile Italian, Flemish and Spanish paintings, as well as a heteroge­neous collection of costumes, arms, jewellery and cutlery.

    reviewed

  2. Tricolour Flag Museum

    The flag is the city's national claim to fame, and Reggio Emilia's city centre makes a lot of it. With interactive and traditional museum displays, the museum gives important and interesting background to the Napoleonic period. The nearby Sala del Tricolore - the room the flag was birthed in - takes prominent place in the beautiful, 14th-century town hall.

    reviewed

  3. Reggio Emilia Cathedral

    The city's cathedral is a palimpsest of Reggio Emilia. It first appeared in the 9th century then had a major touch-up in the 15th century, as well as statue and artistic additions throughout the intervening years. Sections of Romanesque flooring (from the 3rd and 4th centuries) are prominent, as is the 12th century crypt. It is once again being restored.

    reviewed

  4. B

    Duomo

    On Piazza Prampolini, Reggio’s 13th-century­ Duomo was first built in the Romanesque style but was given a comprehensive makeover 300 years later. Nowadays, virtually all that remains of the original is the upper half of the facade and, inside, the crypt.

    reviewed

  5. Castle of Canossa

    The Castle of Canossa, built in 940 and then rebuilt in the 13th century, is where Matilda, countess of Canossa, reconciled the excommunicated Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV with Pope Gregory VII in 1077. Largely ruined, it has a small museum.

    reviewed

  6. C

    Basilica della Ghiara

    On the western side of the historic centre, the baroque Basilica della Ghiara is worth a look for its 17th-century ceiling frescoes. To really enjoy them, however, you'll need a pair of binoculars.

    reviewed

  7. D

    Galleria Parmeggiani

    The Galleria Parmeggiani boasts some worthwhile Italian, Flemish and Spanish paintings, as well as a heteroge­neous collection of costumes, arms, jewellery and cutlery.

    reviewed

  8. E

    Sala del Tricolore

    At a meeting in the Sala del Tricolore in 1797, Napoleon's short-lived Cispadane Republic was proclaimed and the tricolour flag was adopted for the first time.

    reviewed

  9. F

    Chiesa di San Prospero

    Over on Piazza San Prospero, the 15th-century Chiesa di San Prospero is guarded by a royal pair of red marble lions and their four cubs.

    reviewed

  10. G

    Palazzo del Comune

    Marking the southern edge of the square, the 14th-century Palazzo del Comune is celebrated as the birthplace of the Italian flag.

    reviewed

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  12. Castle of Rossena

    From Canossa you can see across to the castle of Rossena, which is well preserved but keeps short hours.

    reviewed

  13. Palazzo San Francesco

    Palazzo San Francesco has an eclectic collection of mainly 18th-century art and archaeological discoveries.

    reviewed