Reggio Emilia in Emilia Romagna
Reggio Emilia. This city lies on the fertile plain between the Enza and Secchia rivers, 58 m. above sea level on the Via Emilia, in full view of the foothills of the Tusco-Emilian Apennines.
Once a Roman colony, it was the seat of a Duchy during the Lombard period, and after domination by the Canossas, became a free municipality (12th century), taking the side of the Lombard League against Barbarossa. It subsequently passed under the rule of the Estense, Visconti, Gonzaga and Terzi families, and was again under the Estenses until 1796, when the Napoleonic Cispadan Republic was proclaimed there. On the 7th January in the following year, the Italian flag was adopted as a symbol of the Republic. In 1859, after the restoration, it was reunited with the Kingdom of Italy.
Monuments: Duomo (13th century, later additions paintings by Guercino and Palma `il Giovane'), Chiesa di San Prospero (16th century), Santuario della Madonna della Ghiara (17th century), Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall, 14th century, with the Sala del Tricolore) and Teatro Municipale (Neoclassical theatre).
The economy of Reggio is based on flourishing commerce favoured by the excellent communications network which serves the city, making it an important roadway and railway junction. The industrial sector is constituted largely of small and medium-sized firms, including the traditional activities connected with agriculture (canning, wine and dairy factories which produce the famous Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese).
Events: Rassegna Suinicola (pig show, spring), ornithological exhibition (November).
Famous People: Ludovico Ariosto (poet, 1474-1533), Bartolomeo Spani (sculptor and architect, 1468-1539), Angelo Secchi (astronomer, 1818-1878) and Antonio Fontanesi (artist, 18331882).
Cultural Institutions: Galleria Parmeggiani (paintings from the Spanish school); Musei Civici with: Collezione Spallanzani (natural history collection), Museo del Risorgimento and Museo Archeologico (museums); Galleria d'Arte Moderna (modern art gallery), Museo Paleontologico (Paleontologico museum), Museo di Storia Naturale (coin collections).
In the Province: Castelnovo ne' Monti (holidays at the foot of the Pietra Bismantova), Correggio (Palazzo dei Principi, 16th century), Guastalla (Palazzo Gonzaga).
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