Reggiolo: Fortress, Theatre and Italian Cultural History
Accommodation in Reggiolo
Reggiolo between Fortress, Church and Theatre
The history of Reggiolo includes the Rocca di Reggiolo, the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, the Teatro Comunale Rinaldi, Villa Aurelia and Palazzo Sartoretti.
The mastio of the Rocca di Reggiolo was built in 1242 and is the oldest part of the fortress. The Rocca di Reggiolo can be viewed from the outside or visited with special permission from the municipality.
File:Rocca medievale - Reggiolo, Reggio Emilia, Italia - 9 Agosto 2022 04.jpg
Photo: GiorgioGaleotti via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
The parish church of Santa Maria Assunta was built between 1855 and 1858 according to plans by the Modenese architect Cesare Costa. The Cappellone of the Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Assunta contains a 17th-century fresco depicting the Virgin of the Pietà. The church was built between 1855 and 1858, while Palazzo Sartoretti in Reggiolo dates back to the 16th century.
Theatre History in Several Stages
The history of the Teatro Comunale Rinaldi dates back at least to the early years of the 17th century. A painting dated 1614 by the Parma-born painter Ambrogio Viarana is part of this early history. A community theatre stood on the site of today’s Teatro Comunale Rinaldi in 1750. From 1832 to 1838, the theatre was extensively remodelled according to a design by the ducal engineer Luigi Sottili. Maria Luigia, Duchess of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, approved this work. The early history of the Teatro Comunale Rinaldi therefore predates the construction of the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta.
Villa Aurelia is a rural building complex with an open courtyard in Reggiolo. From the 14th century, it served the Bonaccolsi, the first lords of Mantua, as a hunting lodge. Later, Villa Aurelia became the summer residence of the Gonzaga family of Guastalla.
Palazzo Sartoretti dates back to the 16th century. Since 2003, its piano nobile has housed the “Giorgio Ambrosoli” municipal library. The public park behind Palazzo Sartoretti is used as a venue for cultural activities and events. Palazzo Sartoretti and Villa Aurelia are different buildings: a palazzo with a library and park, and a rural complex with an open courtyard.
Getting There and Choosing the Right Time to Travel
Villanova di Reggiolo railway station is a specific point of reference for getting there: it is served by the Modena–Verona railway line. If you would like to combine your stay with a food-focused event, the Fiera della Zucca takes place on the third and fourth weekends of September. Those wishing to attend this festival can plan their stay for that weekend; the event is therefore a separate seasonal reason to visit Reggiolo for a culinary-focused stay.
More Destinations for Your Travel Plans
Discover more destinations: Cadelbosco Di Sopra, Baiso, Ramiseto, Rolo, Castelnovo Ne' Monti, Sant'ilario D'enza, Cecciola, Praticello.
To the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.
