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Welcome to Reggio Emilia: Let's Discover the City!
Reggio Emilia, or Rèz for friends, is a city located in the heart of Emilia-Romagna, surrounded by the Po Valley. With a population of over 169,000 inhabitants, it is the capital of the province of Reggio Emilia. Born along the Via Emilia in ancient Rome, it is famous for being the birthplace of the Italian flag.
The city has a lot to offer, whether it's history, culture or gastronomy. In this article, we will explore the geography and climate of Reggio Emilia, so that we can plan our trip accordingly.
Physical Geography
Territory
The city is located a few kilometers from the mountains of the Reggiano Apennines, but the surrounding territory is completely flat. Reggio Emilia is crossed by the Crostolo, a stream that divides it into two parts. The city is surrounded by numerous watercourses and minor streams that feed continuous natural sources of water in the surrounding areas.
The center of Reggio Emilia borders numerous municipalities including Campegine, Cadelbosco di Sopra, Bagnolo in Piano, Correggio, San Martino in Rio, Rubiera, Casalgrande, Scandiano, Albinea and Quattro Castella. The city is only 24 km northwest of Modena and 27.5 km southeast of Parma.
Climate
The climate of Reggio Emilia can be defined as temperate continental. Summers are hot, with maximum temperatures that sometimes exceed 40 °C, while winters are cold and accompanied by frequent freezes, with minimum temperatures that can drop below -10 °C during the most intense cold waves.
Rainfall is evenly distributed throughout the year, although October, November and April are the rainiest months. Snowfall is common in winter, but usually accumulations are modest and hover around 30 cm.
The Gastronomy of Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia is famous for Parmigiano Reggiano, perhaps the most beloved cheese in the world. Every day, over 800,000 forms of Parmigiano Reggiano are produced by 3,500 dairies. In addition, the city is famous for Parma ham, which is produced nearby.
The cuisine of Reggio Emilia is based on local products, and each area of the province has its own specialties. Among the city's most famous dishes are rice cake, bortellina, cappelletti, fried gnocchi and tigelli. The typical wine of the area is Lambrusco, famous worldwide for its freshness and lightness.
Reggio Emilia: A City of Culture
The city of Reggio Emilia is the birthplace of many important artists, including the famous pianist Maurizio Pollini. The city boasts numerous art museums and exhibitions.
The historic center of Reggio Emilia is a maze of medieval streets and alleys, typical of Emiliano architecture. Here you can admire the Cathedral, the church of San Prospero and the Panizzi Library. The city is also home to numerous Baroque churches such as the church of San Giovanni Evangelista and the church of Madonna della Ghiara.
In the city, you can also find several theaters and concert halls, such as the Municipal Theater, the Tricolore Room and the Ariosto Theater. Every year, numerous cultural events are held, such as the Tricolore Festival and the San Prospero Fair.
Reggio Emilia Approach
The city has become famous worldwide for the pedagogical teaching method called Reggio Emilia Approach. This method is based on the centrality of the child, the active participation of parents in school life, and the importance of creativity and experimentation in teaching activities.
The method was developed in the 1960s at the Reggio Emilia municipal kindergartens, and has since been adopted worldwide. The method consists of observing children and their active inclusion in school life.
Conclusion
Reggio Emilia is a city that offers a lot both from a tourist and cultural point of view. From Parmigiano Reggiano to the Reggio Emilia Approach, there are many interesting things to discover and experience here. Whether it's a weekend or a longer vacation, Reggio Emilia is definitely a place to visit.
