Gattatico is located north of Reggio Emilia, in the heart of the Po River Valley, and takes its name from the hamlet in which the Municipality was based until 1870: the municipality was then transferred to Praticello, chosen as the political and administrative centre for its central position in the territory.
Area of ancient human settlement, it was first inhabited by the Cisalpine Gauls and then by the Romans who founded Tannetum, a thriving centre, especially in the Augustan age. In the high Middle Ages reclamation work was carried out on the land, for which prisoners (captati) were often used, giving rise to the name Gattatico. After enduring, alternately, Farnese, Sforza, Papal, French and Austrian domination, the town became a Municipality in 1805 and in 1853 passed officially to the Diocese of Reggio Emilia.
The area is full of villas and manor courts, including the two estates of Pantaro di Sotto and Pantaro di Sopra. The interesting church of S. Matteo is in Praticello.
The Cervi House Museum, which is also an active cultural centre, is located in the farmhouse where the seven Cervi Brothers lived, were arrested and then shot by the Fascists in 1943. The museum contains various documents and objects linked to the story of the Cervi Brothers, to the Resistance and to local farming culture.
There is also a collection of farm tools relating to the work and life of a farming family in the first half of the last century. The museum promotes a rich programme of conferences, exhibitions and cultural events (the most important is the Resistance Theatre Festival), and hosts a library of agricultural history.
Resistance Theatre Festival - July
Festival of contemporary civil theatre.
Wheat Festival - August - in the Olmo
Festival of ancient crafts. Maize threshing, traditional wheat threshing, cooking of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, preparation of polenta, handmade bread baked in a wood oven, traditional grape pressing, pork crackling contest. Entertainment, concerts, dance, tournaments, games, plays, cabaret.
San Matteo Festival - fourth Sunday of September
Stalls, funfair, artistic handicraft, exhibitions, music, food and wine.
