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Reggio Emilia: The City of the Tricolore and Parmigiano Reggiano
Reggio Emilia, or "Rèz" in the local dialect, is an Italian municipality located in the Emilia-Romagna region and has a population of 169,640. The city is situated along the ancient Roman road, Via Emilia, which connected Piacenza to Rimini and was commissioned by Consul Marco Emilio Lepido in 187 BC. Reggio Emilia is famous for many reasons, including being the City of the Tricolore, Parmigiano Reggiano, and the Reggio Emilia Approach.
Physical Geography
Territory
Reggio Emilia is located in the Po Valley and is crossed by the Crostolo stream. The municipality's territory is completely flat and is bordered by numerous rivers and smaller streams. The first slopes of the Reggiano Apennines are located approximately 10 kilometers south of the municipality. The city borders other municipalities, such as Bibbiano, Cavriago, Montecchio Emilia, and Sant'Ilario d'Enza.
Climate
The climate in Reggio Emilia is a temperate continental climate, with hot and humid summers and cold winters with frequent frosts. The rainfall is distributed throughout the year, but is more frequent and intense in the autumn and spring seasons. July and January are the driest months. Snow falls on the city every winter, with rarely significant accumulations.
The City of the Tricolore
On January 7, 1797, the Italian tricolor flag, a symbol of national unity, was first displayed in Reggio Emilia, inspired by the flags of the Cispadane Republic. The flag was shown in the Tricolore Hall of the Municipality, which still hosts the sessions of the city council today. Reggio Emilia is therefore known as the City of the Tricolore, a title conferred in recognition of its important Risorgimento history.
Parmigiano Reggiano
Reggio Emilia, together with the neighboring Parma and Modena, is the original home of the famous Parmigiano Reggiano cheese. The cheese from the Emilian plains, made only with raw milk, salt, and rennet, is appreciated all over the world for its taste and texture. Its production still takes place today with traditional techniques.
The Reggio Emilia Approach
The Reggio Emilia Approach is a pedagogical teaching method that originated after World War II in Reggio Emilia. This method is based on valuing the creative role of children, on collaboration between parents, teachers, and children, and on creating a stimulating and welcoming learning environment. The Reggio Emilia Approach has been adopted by many schools around the world.
The Italian Resistance
After World War II, Reggio Emilia was one of the cities awarded the Military Valor Medal for the Italian Resistance's liberation war. The city played a significant role during the liberation war, hosting the headquarters of the partisan brigades and the underground press. Reggio Emilia celebrates this important moment in its history with many cultural and recreational initiatives.
Reggio Emilia is a city with many facets: its Risorgimento history, the dairy industry, and innovative educational methods are just some of the reasons why this city deserves a visit.
