Reggio Emilia was the birthplace of and hosted some of the most significant and important personalities of Italian and international music. Let's retrace together the steps of the protagonists and their stories.
The first stop takes you to Santa Vittoria di Gualtieri, a small village where a fascinating musical tradition has its roots. In the early 1800s, dances like the waltz, mazurka, and polka began spreading through the countryside, giving rise to liscio—a style that would go on to become one of the region’s defining cultural expressions.
What makes this place truly remarkable is its story: over time, ordinary farm workers turned themselves into skilled professional musicians, using music as a way to improve their lives and open up new opportunities. Santa Vittoria soon became known as the “Village of One Hundred Violins,” a hub of talent that inspired generations of performers.
That legacy is still alive today thanks to I Violini di Santa Vittoria, a string quintet founded in 2001, devoted to preserving and rediscovering the roots of liscio dance music.
To know
If you’d like to dive deeper into this story, The Village of One Hundred Violins by Susy Blady offers an engaging account of how this unique musical tradition began and evolved.
Curiosity
The nickname “Village of One Hundred Violins” comes from the extraordinary number of musicians active in the village between the 19th and 20th centuries—a rare phenomenon that makes Santa Vittoria stand out in Italy’s musical history.
The second stop takes you to Novellara, the hometown of Augusto Daolio, founder and iconic voice of the band Nomadi. A large mural dedicated to him can be found on Via Giacomo Matteotti, created by artist Alessio B. for the 2019 edition of Nomadincontro. Over the years, it has become a landmark for fans and visitors alike.
The visit continues through the historic town center, where you can explore the Rocca, the 19th-century theatre, and the Gonzaga Museum, home to a remarkable collection of pharmacy jars and works by local painter Lelio Orsi. In places connected to Daolio’s memory, you can still feel the deep bond between music, identity, and community.
Inside the Rocca, in the Civic Hall, there is a permanent exhibition dedicated to the singer. Just a short walk away, Parco Augusto Daolio offers a unique path blending music and creativity, featuring literary benches decorated by students from the Chierici Art Institute.
Must-sees
Event
Each year, Novellara celebrates Augusto Daolio’s birthday with Nomadincontro, a major music event that draws fans from all over Italy, turning the town into a lively space for gathering and sharing.
The town centre of Correggio stands out for its lively charm, with arcades, squares, and picturesque corners that tell stories of art and music. This is where places connected to the life and career of Luciano Ligabue—one of the region’s most iconic artists—come together.
Among the highlights is Teatro Asioli, the town’s historic theatre, often featured in his music videos and still hosting concerts, events, and cultural gatherings. Not far away, on Via S. Maria, you’ll find the singer’s birthplace. A short distance from Correggio, in nearby San Martino in Rio, lies one of the most iconic places tied to his world: the famous Bar Mario.
Ligabue’s deep connection to this area also emerges in his work as a filmmaker. It is here that he set films such as Radiofreccia and Made in Italy, using music and cinema to portray the identity of the local community.
Must-sees
To know
Correggio is also the birthplace of remarkable figures such as the painter Antonio Allegri, known as Correggio, and writer Pier Vittorio Tondelli, an important cultural influence on Ligabue and author of the novel Altri libertini.
Curiosity
Bar Mario, made famous by one of Ligabue’s best-known songs, has become a true pilgrimage spot over the years for fans of Italian music.
This stop takes you into the heart of Reggio Emilia, uncovering a little-known yet significant chapter of European musical history. In Piazza Prampolini, a commemorative plaque marks the spot where, in July 1797, Józef Wybicki composed what is now known as the Mazurka of Dąbrowski, the Polish national anthem.
This moment is closely tied to the turbulent events of the time, shaped by the Napoleonic campaigns and the clashes between French and Austrian forces. In that context, Polish troops—driven by the hope of independence—also passed through Reggio Emilia, playing a role in the events surrounding the Cispadane Republic.
It was to celebrate a military victory that Wybicki composed the famous mazurka, first performed as a serenade beneath the Bishop’s Palace—marking the beginning of a piece that would later become a powerful national symbol.
Must-sees
Curiosity
Today, the Mazurka of Dąbrowski is Poland’s national anthem, yet its origins are deeply connected to Reggio Emilia—making the city a meaningful place in Polish historical memory.
The fifth stop takes you to Cà de Caroli, near Scandiano, a place closely connected to singer-songwriter Vinicio Capossela, who grew up here and still maintains a strong bond with the area. The landscape is defined by the striking silhouette of Le Ciminiere, a former cement factory now transformed into a recreational space—set against the backdrop of the first hills of the Reggio Emilia Apennines.
These very hills, which the artist looked out on as a child, have come to be known as the “lost hills”: a scenic ridge where nature and imagination blend, offering sweeping and evocative views.
From the centre of Cà de Caroli, the route can continue towards the Oak of Rondinara, following a stretch of the Spallanzani Trail, a long-distance hiking route of about 125 km connecting Scandiano to San Pellegrino in Alpe.
Travel tips
To taste
This area is the homeland of Spergola, a native grape variety from the Reggio hills: a glass of this fresh, aromatic white wine is the perfect companion to your exploration.
Useful tips
This stop takes you between Cavriago and Montecchio Emilia, following in the footsteps of Orietta Berti, an artist who has captivated generations with a long and successful career.
Deeply connected to this area, she still lives in Montecchio Emilia, in the heart of the Val d’Enza, a borderland between the provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma.
The visit is also an opportunity to explore the area’s historical heritage. The town’s symbol is its medieval castle, dating back to the age of Matilda of Tuscany. From here, following the course of the river and climbing the gentle hills, the landscape opens up to reveal a network of fortresses, towers, and castles once linked to the Gran Countess, forming a striking defensive system across the territory.
Must-sees
Curiosity
The nickname “nightingale” has accompanied Orietta Berti since the beginning of her career, a reference to her unmistakable voice, which has made her one of the most beloved performers in Italian music.
Tips
Continuing towards the Apennine ridge, you will reach Ligonchio, homeland of the famous singer Iva Zanicchi, aka "the eagle of Ligonchio".
Next to the big power station, symbol of the town, is the start of the penultimate stretch of the Spallanzani Path, leading to the Battisti Refuge.
Along the path you will find the Prati di Sara, one of the most enchanting places in the Reggio Emilia Apennines, which Iva Zanicchi also dedicated a book to.
Continuing up towards the ridge, you reach Ligonchio, a small village in the Reggio Emilia Apennines and the birthplace of Iva Zanicchi, widely known as the “Eagle of Ligonchio.”
The village is dominated by its striking hydroelectric power plant, a local landmark and the perfect starting point for exploring the surrounding natural landscape. From here begins one of the final stretches of the Spallanzani Trail, leading all the way to Rifugio Battisti through breathtaking mountain scenery.
Along the way, you’ll come across the Prati di Sara, one of the most evocative spots in the Reggio Emilia Apennines—also featured in a book by Iva Zanicchi herself. It’s a place where nature takes centre stage, with silence and sweeping views creating a truly memorable atmosphere.
Not to miss
Curiosity
The name Prati di Sara comes from a female figure rooted in local tradition and has become a symbolic place also thanks to Iva Zanicchi’s personal storytelling.
Tips for your visit
