Reggio Emilia, a town without barriers

Palazzo San Giorgio, building of XVIII-century origins born as a Jesuit college, now houses the main library of the town dedicated to Antonio Panizzi, originally from Brescello, who became director of the London-based British Library. 

There are platforms for wheelchairs at every point, with much attention to every type of disability: books in CAA ("Alternative Augmented Communication"), tactile books, for the blind and partially sighted and books in Braille.

In the children's section there is a room with a "baby pit stop" service with a breastfeeding chair, mattresses and children's books. In the same section there is a bathroom dedicated to children with properly sized bathroom fixtures and a changing table.

In the historic center stands Palazzo San Giorgio, home to the Panizzi Library, a cultural space open to everyone. It is an ideal place to start the day by discovering the history and cultural activities of the city.

What to see and do

• Library with collections of books and cultural materials
• Space dedicated to families

Services offered

• Family services with changing table
• Facilitated accessibility within internal routes

To know

The library is included in the city’s official accessibility projects, promoted by the local tourism office.

After crossing Piazza Prampolini, the beating heart of the town centre, you reach the Tricolour Flag Museum, which illustrates the history of the Italian flag and the political events of Reggio Emilia, from the birth of the Cispadane Republic to the national unity. The museum is spread over three floors served by both a lift and stairs. 

You can visit the museum by listening to the free audio guides.

The Museum of the Tricolore tells the story of the Italian flag and highlights the civic importance of Reggio Emilia in the formation of national identity. It is a symbolic site not to be missed in the city center.

What to see and do

Exhibitions dedicated to the Italian flag and the local political history

Services offered

Access on a single floor or via elevator in the civic museums (for details on specific accessibility tools, refer to official portals)

Audioguides available

To know

The museum is part of the Reggio Emilia Civic Museums network.

Piazza Prampolini is connected to Piazza San Prospero from Vicolo Broletto, a passage with an arched ceiling created in 1488 by opening the wall of the Canons' garden. The square was recently redeveloped to enhance and make more usable one of the symbolic places of Reggio Emilia: differences in level and barriers were eliminated to create a single space also accessible to disabled people and red porphyry flooring was chosen, with references to the XIX-century layout. 

The Basilica dedicated to the Patron Saint of Reggio Emilia overlooks the square. At the edge of the churchyard are six characteristic lions in red Verona marble, the true symbol of the town.

Piazza San Prospero is a charming and characteristic corner of Reggio Emilia’s historic center. Dominated by the elegant Baroque façade of the basilica dedicated to the city’s patron saint, the square represents a place where history, art, and tradition intertwine in a lively and accessible setting.

What to see and do

• Basilica of San Prospero: admire the Baroque façade and the interiors, featuring artworks of historical and artistic significance
• Six red Verona marble lions, placed along the square, symbols of both the piazza and the city

Curiosity

The square is also known as the “Square of the Lions.” The lions have long been part of local tradition and feature in a “historic” children’s game: for generations, kids have loved climbing on them under parental supervision. This symbolic gesture is highlighted in family-focused tourist routes.

Not to miss

• The Basilica of San Prospero, the city’s religious and artistic heart, with 17th-century furnishings and decorations

Events

• November 24 – San Prospero's Celebration: religious and civic events and cultural activities take place in the city center

Visiting tips

• The square is perfect for a short walk and connects easily to Piazza Prampolini and Via Emilia, allowing for a complete itinerary through the historic center.

After crossing the Via Emilia, your gaze opens onto a large space, interrupted by the gushing of jets of water. To the right of the Municipal Theatre you cannot fail to notice the Museums Palace, a former Franciscan convent which has housed the private collection of the great naturalist Lazzaro Spallanzani since 1830.

To access in wheelchairs, just ring the bell: an operator will accompany the disabled to the dedicated lift on the side of the building, where it is also possible to admire the work Curiosa Meravigliosa (Curious Wonderful), an extraordinary ceramic peacock created by the artist Joan Fontcuberta during Covid. The works exhibited inside the museum are provided with captions for the visually impaired: nobody is excluded. The second and third floors, reachable by lift, were recently redeveloped by the architect Italo Rota: a tour through the centuries, the protagonists and the excellences of our territory, from the founding consul Marco Emilio Lepido, to the poet Ludovico Ariosto, from the history of the Tricolour Flag to the photographic work of Luigi Ghirri and the valorization of the European Photography Collection, the entire tour is characterized by spaces for comparison and contamination.

Crossing the historic Via Emilia, the view opens onto a wide and lively space, where the Teatro Municipale elegantly faces the city. Right opposite, in a building of ancient charm, stands the Palazzo dei Musei, the heart of the Civic Museums of Reggio Emilia, home to collections that tell the story of nature, history, art, and the cultural identity of the region.

What to see and do

• “Lazzaro Spallanzani” Collection: marvels of nature collected by the scientist and explorer, including specimens of fauna, minerals, and 18th-century curiosities.
• Historical-naturalistic and archaeological collections: covering millennia of civilizations, from prehistory to contemporary times, presented through objects, artifacts, and thematic sections of the museum.
• Contemporary exhibitions: the new rooms on the second floor, redesigned by architect Italo Rota, offer a captivating narrative of the territory and its excellences through the centuries, including photographic works and projects linked to Fotografia Europea.

Not to miss

• The fossil whale discovered in the Reggio hills, a unique natural phenomenon that reveals a surprising geological past.
• The sections dedicated to natural history studies and ethnographic collections, offering a broad overview of the culture and nature of the Emilia region.

To know

• Entry to the Palazzo dei Musei is free, but some guided tours or special activities may require a reservation or a small fee.
• Opening hours vary by season; it is always recommended to check the official website or contact the museum before visiting.

Services and accessibility

• The museum has recently implemented measures to remove physical, sensory, and cognitive barriers, including tactile maps, podotactile paths, and new furnishings that make the collections more accessible and comfortable for all visitors, including children and those with specific needs.

Events and opportunities

• The Civic Museums of Reggio Emilia often host temporary exhibitions, workshops, and cultural initiatives that enrich the museum experience, from contemporary art projects to thematic displays related to the territory and local culture.

We continue to the most important church of the town centre. The construction of the Church is linked to the miracle of the healing of Marchino, which occurred April 29, 1596. Within a short time the place became a great pilgrimage destination, and the numerous offerings led to the rebuilding of the sacred building, decorated with an extraordinary cycle of frescoes and altarpieces executed by the best artists of the XVII century in Emilia: Ludovico Carracci, Lionello Spada, Alessandro Tiarini, Carlo Bononi, Luca Ferrari and Giovan Francesco Barbieri, known as Guercino, author of the wonderful “Crucifixion of Christ” commissioned by the Municipality to decorate the town's altar. 

To access there is a metal ramp with handrails and parapets on both sides. By downloading the free app you can visit the church on your own: by scanning the QR codes around the pillars you can delve into the historical-artistic aspects and observe the paintings in a new perspective.

Continuing through the historic center, visitors reach one of Reggio Emilia’s most significant places of worship and art: the Basilica of the Blessed Virgin of Ghiara. Built following an event considered miraculous in 1596, this church is today a destination for both pilgrimage and cultural visits, renowned for its artistic heritage and the richness of works by 17th-century Emilian artists.

What to see and do

• Interior of the Basilica: admire the altarpieces, frescoes, and works by major 17th-century Emilian painters, including Ludovico Carracci, Guercino, Lionello Spada, Alessandro Tiarini, Carlo Bononi, and Luca Ferrari, brought together in the church’s decorative program.
• Official app and QR codes: by downloading the Basilica’s app, visitors can explore the historical and artistic aspects independently by scanning the QR codes located around the interior pillars.
• Museum of the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of Ghiara: located in the ground-floor cloister, it houses the “Treasure of Ghiara,” including sacred silverware, ex-votos, and testimonies from local confraternities.

Not to miss

• The history of the Basilica’s construction, built in response to the miracle attributed to the Madonna della Ghiara, which led to its rapid development as a place of worship and devotion.
• The decorative bands on the vaults and domes, created by masters of Baroque art, depicting sacred and symbolic scenes within the Counter-Reformation style.

Curiosity

The name Ghiara derives from the term that indicated the ancient gravelly course of the Crostolo stream on which the area stood before the sanctuary was built.

To know

• Individual visits to the Basilica are free of charge and include unrestricted access to the interior, respecting liturgical functions.
• Visitors can request tourist lighting of the church for a donation.
• Opening hours for visits vary throughout the day; it is recommended to consult official tourist portals for up-to-date information.

Services offered (accessibility)

• The Basilica is accessible to all visitors and is located in the historic center, easily reachable on foot or by public transport.
• Self-guided visits can be enhanced with the app and digital content available via QR codes, designed to provide an illustrative experience, including for those wishing to explore artistic details more in depth.

Events

• The Basilica remains active as a place of worship with daily and holiday celebrations.
• Giaréda: a traditional Reggio Emilia folk festival held every year during the Easter period, featuring processions, cultural activities, and family-friendly events.
• For updated information on masses, activities, or special events, it is possible to consult the official city tourism portal or contact the tourist office.

.The construction of the Palace dates back to the second half of the XVI century, as a representative residence for the town. Characterized by the beautiful two-faced Janus, created by Prospero Sogari known as Clemente and placed in the south-west corner of the building as a protective figure and guardian of the family, in the XIX it was renovated with a complete renovation in neoclassical style. In 1917, after several changes of ownership, the property passed to Luigi Magnani, art collector, musicologist and man of culture. 

It is now home to the homonymous cultural foundation, which pays attention to the needs of fragile people: the dedicated tours include visits to exhibitions, workshops, reproductions of tactile works, augmentative and alternative communication, guided tours with LIS (Italian Sign Language) interpreters and much more. The exhibition rooms are accessible to everybody with the aid of a lift.

Continuing the discovery of the wonders of the historic center, visitors reach the Fondazione Palazzo Magnani, an exhibition venue dedicated to contemporary visual arts and culture. Palazzo Magnani is a historic building carefully restored to enhance public enjoyment, offering exhibitions, cultural projects, and experimental initiatives that weave together history, dialogue, and cultural innovation.

What to see and do

• Art exhibitions and projects: Palazzo Magnani hosts modern and contemporary art exhibitions, with a rich cultural calendar of interdisciplinary events that promote creativity, reflection, and exchange.
• Educational and workshop activities: the foundation offers narrative, experiential, and workshop-based programs that actively engage the public, fostering a deeper understanding of artworks and artistic languages.
• Cultural dialogue: the foundation emphasizes exchange across disciplines and cultures, making each exhibition an experience of both personal and collective reflection.

Not to miss

• The bifronted Janus sculpted by Prospero Sogari: on the façade, visitors can admire this symbolic sculpture of Janus, a traditional figure representing transitions and protection, linking historical heritage to urban identity.
• Temporary exhibitions scheduled throughout the year, offering fresh artistic perspectives each season.

Curiosity

The history of the building is closely tied to the Magnani family and the city’s cultural development: Luigi Magnani, art collector and man of culture, lived and worked here. Today, the foundation continues his commitment to promoting art and knowledge. Palazzo Magnani’s vocation reflects the idea that art is not only to be observed but also discussed and experienced as a personal and social journey.

Services and accessibility

• Access to the exhibition halls is designed for visitors with reduced mobility, via an alternative entrance and elevator that bypass the main entrance steps.
• Accessible restrooms are available within the exhibition spaces.
• Specific routes and programs are designed to include people with vulnerabilities, with facilitated approaches, tactile paths for blind and visually impaired visitors, Augmentative and Alternative Communication solutions, and visits with a LIS (Italian Sign Language) interpreter available by reservation.
• The bookshop, accessible from the outside, allows visitors to purchase catalogs, books, and artistic items without needing an admission ticket.

To know

Fondazione Palazzo Magnani is a non-profit cultural institution dedicated to the promotion and dissemination of visual arts through exhibitions, events, educational activities, and workshops. The foundation provides an enriching and accessible cultural experience, integrating art and community.

Events and further activities

Palazzo Magnani periodically organizes guided tours, thematic activities, and cultural insights linked to ongoing exhibitions. There are usually collateral events as well, including meetings with artists and educational paths for different audiences. For up-to-date information on opening hours, exhibitions, and services, it is recommended to consult the foundation’s official website and regional tourism portals

Past Piazza Fontanesi, a small French-style square with several coffee bars and restaurants where you can stop for a break, go on to the San Pietro Cloisters, a Benedictine monumental complex which, following a recent restoration, has received several architectural mentions and awards. 

Both the monumental complex of the San Pietro Cloisters and the Open Laboratory are accessible to the disabled, thanks to the help of dedicated lifts and ramps. All floors have spaces that allow the comfortable use and viewing of the exhibited works by a person in a wheelchair or anyone who moves with aids. 

After a short stop in Piazza Fontanesi—a charming, French-inspired square buzzing with cafés and restaurants, perfect for a relaxing break—you’ll head toward the Chiostri di San Pietro, one of the most captivating monumental complexes in Reggio Emilia. Carefully restored through an ambitious architectural and urban regeneration project, the cloisters are now a vibrant hub for culture, innovation, and community life in the heart of the historic center.

What to see and do

• Explore the Renaissance layout of the former Benedictine monastery, organized around two cloisters with distinct historical and architectural identities: the Small Cloister and the Large Cloister.
• Stroll through the courtyards, taking in the elegant arches, porticoes, and open spaces that create a serene, contemplative atmosphere.
• Discover temporary exhibitions, art installations, and cultural events that regularly bring these spaces to life, making the cloisters a dynamic and contemporary destination.

Don’t miss

• The Renaissance and Mannerist architecture of the cloisters, with design elements inspired by Giulio Romano, whose style influenced the overall monumental complex.
• The Urban Open Lab (Laboratorio Aperto Urbano), a space dedicated to social innovation, digital culture, and inclusive experimentation. It hosts coworking activities, creative projects, and cultural initiatives, often developed in collaboration with the local community.

Fun fact

The Chiostri di San Pietro were originally part of a Benedictine monastery built in the early 16th century. Over the centuries, they were used for various purposes and eventually became inaccessible—until a major restoration transformed them into an active cultural landmark on both a local and international level.

Good to know

• The complex is open to the public during official visiting hours, which can be checked on tourism portals or the Chiostri di San Pietro website.
• Inside, you’ll also find amenities such as a café/refreshment area at street level, nestled in the peaceful setting of the courtyard.

Accessibility

• Both the complex and the Urban Open Lab are accessible to visitors with disabilities or reduced mobility, thanks to ramps and dedicated elevators connecting the different floors and exhibition areas.
• The cloisters are also accessible with strollers and wheelchairs, except for occasional restrictions due to specific exhibitions or installations.
• Accessible restrooms are available within the complex or near the reception areas.

Events

The Chiostri di San Pietro regularly host art exhibitions, cultural festivals, and public events ranging from contemporary art to digital innovation and theatre. This makes them one of the liveliest and most engaging venues in the historic center, with programs frequently updated on official channels and local cultural listings.

The tour ends up with two buildings located outside the town centre. The Polveriera was built in the 1940s as a military deployment and then a public warehouse, and became a property of the Municipality at the end of the 1980s. The wide space can be used by everyone; even in the toilets, starting from the mirror, everything can be used by everyone, whether in a wheelchair or not. The several activities of the almost fifty cooperatives, associations, agencies and foundations find space here.

During the week it is possible to visit, upon reservation, the large mural work "Epopteia!" created freehand by the artist Hu-Be.

Once you leave behind the medieval hexagonal layout of the city, you’ll step into an area that tells a different story of Reggio Emilia: La Polveriera. Originally a military site and public depot, it has been transformed into a multifunctional cultural and social hub. Today, it stands as a powerful example of urban regeneration—where ethics, innovation, and community come together under one roof, offering a unique and meaningful experience.

What to see and do

• Take a walk through the spacious open areas at the heart of the complex, designed as an urban square and gathering place.
• Explore the many spaces dedicated to social life, culture, and creativity: La Polveriera is an active hub of social culture, where beauty is both created and shared, fostering community engagement and meaningful connections.
• Check out the cultural and artistic initiatives regularly hosted here, including installations, workshops, and festivals—often centered around dialogue, creativity, and community participation.

Don’t miss

• The architecture itself, a striking transformation of a historic structure into a contemporary social space, symbolizing urban regeneration and inclusivity.
• The central square and the on-site bar-restaurant, run by local social enterprises—perfect for a relaxing break while soaking in the everyday life of this welcoming, community-driven space.

Fun fact

La Polveriera was originally built in the 1940s as a military facility and storage area. From the 1980s onward, it became public property and, in recent years, has evolved into an open space for civic participation and social initiatives. Its philosophy reflects the city’s vision of the “Right to Beauty”—the idea that every place should be beautiful and accessible to everyone.

Good to know

• La Polveriera is designed as an open and inclusive space, where there are no clear boundaries between visitors and those who use it daily.
• Both outdoor areas and indoor facilities are used for informal daytime activities as well as organized events, workshops, performances, and cultural programs.

Accessibility & services

• The entire complex is designed to be barrier-free, with pathways and shared spaces that are easily accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility aids.
• Restrooms and rest areas—including mirrors, surfaces, and entrances—are thoughtfully designed to be usable by الجميع, regardless of physical or sensory abilities.
• Located just outside the historic center, La Polveriera is easily reachable within a few minutes on foot or by public transport. Nearby, you’ll find a large park-and-ride facility (“Ex-Polveriera”) with frequent connections to the city center.

Events

Throughout the year, La Polveriera hosts a wide range of cultural and social events—from artistic performances to community gatherings and collaborative workshops—often organized in partnership with cooperatives, associations, and third-sector organizations.

The last stage of the tour is the new technological innovation hub. The Loris Malaguzzi International Centre was created in place of the historic Locatelli dairy company and its Parmigiano Reggiano warehouses. Pedagogist, teacher and journalist, Loris Malaguzzi was an important scholar of the world of childhood: already in 1963 he favoured the opening of the first municipal nursery schools and, in 1971, the first kindergartens (another world record of Reggio Emilia). It is from his innovative vision of the concept of education, leading to the enhancement of the resources present in the "hundred languages ​​of children", that the Malaguzzi Centre and Reggio Children were created. 

On the ground floor, open to the public, you can visit several workshops, as Malaguzzi called them, places where you have direct experiences using the senses: touch, sight, hearing. We go on to the former Officine Meccaniche Reggiane, now Reggiane Parco Innovazione, a European hub of services and functions with very high innovation potential. Some decades ago an emblematic workplace of modernity and Italian industrial growth of the XX century, and now, after the restoration of the original structures, a scientific-humanistic technological hub, which brings together universities, research centres, businesses, public administration in a charming location, between past and future. The warehouses are also accessible for wheelchairs, the Warehouse number 18 is always open to the public, and outside it is possible to admire the many murals that have made this area famous throughout Europe.

The final stop of the itinerary takes you to the northern part of the city, in an area that once housed the historic Locatelli dairy company and its Parmigiano Reggiano warehouses. Today, this site is home to the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre—a cultural and technological hub celebrating the legacy of one of Italy’s most influential educators. It also opens onto a rapidly evolving urban landscape: the Reggiane Innovation Park, a powerful symbol of industrial regeneration and research.

What to see and do

• Loris Malaguzzi International Centre: a space dedicated to educational innovation, featuring ateliers, exhibitions, workshops, and projects based on the Reggio Emilia Approach®, an internationally recognized philosophy for early childhood education.
• Ateliers and exhibitions: open spaces where visitors can explore the “hundred languages of children,” with workshops focused on light, materials, paper, and technology—designed to inspire creativity, exploration, and learning.
• Bookshop, café, and restaurant: facilities that enrich the visit, offering publications, educational materials, and welcoming spaces to relax.
• Reggiane Innovation Park: walking through the surrounding area, you’ll witness the transformation of the former Officine Meccaniche Reggiane into a dynamic hub for services, research, business, and culture, with restored buildings now hosting universities, research centers, and startups.

Don’t miss

• The story of the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre, established in 2006 within the former Locatelli buildings as a meeting place for educators, families, students, and professionals interested in learning processes.
• The Reggio Emilia Approach®, a globally influential educational philosophy that places creativity, active participation, and multiple forms of expression at its core—promoted by Reggio Children.

Fun fact

The International Centre is located within the historic buildings of the former Locatelli site, part of the city’s first industrial district. These spaces have been transformed into an open cultural laboratory welcoming visitors of all ages, reflecting Loris Malaguzzi’s vision of childhood and the importance of education as a social and cultural experience.

Services

• Accessibility: exhibition areas, ateliers, the bookshop, and all shared spaces within the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre are fully accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, thanks to barrier-free pathways.
• Food and relaxation: the centre includes a café and restaurant open during visiting hours, offering a taste of local flavors in a comfortable setting.

Events and learning opportunities

The Loris Malaguzzi International Centre organizes guided tours, themed ateliers, family activities, and programs for schools and students. These experiences are designed to help visitors understand the educational approach and actively engage with the exhibitions. Updated schedules and activities are available on official websites and at the Centre’s reception.