Reggio Emilia

1 week ago

4 minutes

Reggio Emilia is another gem in the Emilia-Romagna region, often mentioned alongside Modena and Parma but with its own distinct, proud identity. It’s a city known for its profound social consciousness, revolutionary educational approach, and beautiful historic center.

Here’s a detailed look at what defines Reggio Emilia.

The “Three Crowns” of Reggio Emilia

The Reggio Emilia Approach (Pedagogy):
- This is the city’s most famous export worldwide. It’s an innovative and influential philosophy for early childhood education.
- Core Idea: It views children as strong, capable, and full of potential. The environment is considered the “third teacher” (after parents and educators), leading to classrooms filled with natural light, plants, and displays of children’s projects.
- It emphasizes project-based learning, collaboration, and the use of “a hundred languages” (different ways children express themselves through art, music, writing, etc.). If you’re in education, this is the city’s hallmark.
The Italian Flag (Il Tricolore):
- Reggio Emilia is known as the “Cradle of the Italian Flag.”
- On January 7, 1797, the Tricolore (green, white, and red) was adopted as the flag of the Cispadane Republic in Reggio Emilia. The room where this happened is in the city hall, overlooking Piazza Prampolini, and you can visit the Tricolore Museum (Museo del Tricolore) to learn about its history.
High-Quality Food in the “Food Valley”:
- Like its neighbors, Reggio Emilia is a paradise for food lovers. It shares some famous products but also has its own specialties:
  - Parmigiano Reggiano: The city is a key part of the official production zone. Some of the best dairies are in the Reggiano area.
  - Erbazzone: A savory pie that is a true local signature. It’s made with spinach or Swiss chard, Parmesan cheese, pancetta, and onion, wrapped in a thin crust.
  - Lambrusco Reggiano: The specific Lambrusco wine from this area is robust and frizzante, perfect with the rich local cuisine.
  - Cappelletti: The local version of stuffed pasta, similar to tortellini but often larger and with a slightly different filling.

Other Highlights of the City

The Beautiful Squares (Piazze): The historic center is organized around a series of interconnected main squares:
- Piazza Prampolini: The seat of the City Hall and the Tricolore Museum.
- Piazza San Prospero: Adjacent to Prampolini, known for its basilica and a lively weekly market.
- These piazzas are the social heart of the city, perfect for a coffee or an evening stroll (passeggiata).
Theatres and Culture: Reggio Emilia has a rich cultural life. The Teatro Municipale Valli is a beautiful 19th-century opera house and a central cultural venue.
Bicycle-Friendly City: The city is very flat and has an extensive network of bicycle paths, making it easy and pleasant to explore on two wheels. This aligns with its progressive, quality-of-life-focused ethos.
Modern Art and Architecture: Alongside its historical treasures, Reggio Emilia has interesting contemporary spaces, like the Chiostri di San Pietro, a restored monastic complex that now hosts exhibitions and events.

Reggio Emilia vs. Modena: A Quick Comparison

Feature	Reggio Emilia	Modena
Global Fame	Education (Reggio Emilia Approach), Italian Flag	Supercars (Ferrari, Maserati), Balsamic Vinegar
Atmosphere	More laid-back, progressive, and community-focused. Feels like a “city of ideas.”	More elegant, wealthy, and engine-roaring. Has a stronger “luxury” vibe.
Historic Center	Beautiful, with a series of connected piazzas. Slightly more intimate.	Grandiose, with a single, stunning UNESCO World Heritage square (Piazza Grande).
Food Specialties	Erbazzone (savory pie), Cappelletti pasta.	Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Zampone/Tortellini.
Key Product	Parmigiano Reggiano (shared with Modena and Parma)	Traditional Balsamic Vinegar (unique to Modena)

Suggested Activities for a Visit

For the Culture & History Buff: Visit the Tricolore Museum, stroll through the connected Piazze Prampolini and San Prospero, and see a performance at the Teatro Valli.
For the Foodie: Taste the local specialty Erbazzone, visit a Parmigiano Reggiano dairy to see the cheese being made, and enjoy a glass of Lambrusco Reggiano.
For the Educator/Family: While the schools themselves are not open to tourists, you can feel the philosophy in the city’s atmosphere. Look for the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre (named after the approach’s founder), which hosts exhibitions and conferences.

In a Nutshell

Reggio Emilia is a city of social innovation and excellent quality of life. It’s less about flashy supercars and more about profound ideas that have changed childhood education globally. It offers a deeply authentic, delicious, and human-centered Italian experience.

Its proximity to Modena and Parma (about 15-30 minutes by train) makes it easy to visit all three and appreciate their unique characters.