Reggio Emilia, a cradle of memory and struggle, the beating heart of Italy's "Red Emilia", invites you on a journey through the places that shaped the 20th-century Italian history.
This 48-hour itinerary takes you to factories that witnessed strikes and revolts, fields that sheltered partisans and nourished the nation, and museums that tell stories of rebellion and dreams of freedom.
This isn't just a historical tour; it's an immersion into a past that continues to resonate with the present, as many of these sites are now vibrant cultural and creative spaces. Let's explore this land through its iconic landmarks: the former Officine Reggiane, the Cervi Museum, the sets of “Novecento” movie, and much more.
Are you ready for an evocative journey that reveals the captivating stories this land has to tell?
The journey begins with a visit to the former Officine Meccaniche Reggiane. More than just a symbol of industrial history, this is a living testament to workers' resilience and the city's transformation.
Founded in 1904, they represent a pivotal chapter in the Italian industrial and social history. Initially focused on railway production, the company adapted to historical shifts, producing aircraft, tractors, and armaments. Their story is marked by dramatic events, such as the 1943 massacre, when workers striking against the ongoing war were victims of violent repression. Home to the longest factory occupation in the Italian history, in the 1950s, this episode symbolizes worker resistance and self-management, culminating in the production of the R60 tractor.
Today, some areas have been repurposed for cultural events and exhibitions, making the visit an immersive experience blending memory and innovation.
Let’s continue the tour, heading into the heart of Cavriago, in the Reggio Emilia province, where you'll encounter an unexpected monument: the bust of Vladimir Lenin, father of the October Revolution.
As early as 1919, the local Socialist Circle publicly expressed its support for the October Revolution, far ahead of other Italian municipalities.
The monument, a gift from the Soviet embassy in 1970 as a sign of recognition for the town's early adherence to the revolution's values, divides opinions today, but remains a testament to the historical link between the town and the 20th-century international politics.
The first day ends in the Reggio Emilia countryside, between Gattatico and Campegine, with a visit to the Cervi Museum, set up in the housee where the family of the same name lived, which became a symbol of the Italian Resistance.
The Cervi brothers, humble farmers, chose to oppose the fascist regime, offering refuge and support to partisans. Their home became a place of hope and struggle for freedom.
Unfortunately, their story had a tragic end: the seven brothers were shot by Nazi-fascists in December 1943. Nevertheless, their sacrifice made them a national symbol, embodying the values of resistance and solidarity.
Today, the Cervi House Museum is not just a place of remembrance that recalls the sacrifice of a farming family that embodied the values of freedom and solidarity, but also a place of education, where you can discover the values of the Resistance and reflect on the history of our country.
Open from Tuesday to Sunday, with mandatory booking for groups and schools.
Day two begins on a lighthearted note with a visit to Brescello. The first stop is the "Peppone and Don Camillo" Museum, dedicated to the iconic characters created by Guareschi, later brought to life on screen by Fernandel and Gino Cervi.
This space offers a dive into the Italian popular culture, where you can immerse yourself in the past, guided by original movie posters, black and white photographs, movie set props, and stories from our young tourist guides.
To taste
After visiting the museum, it's time to refuel with local delicacies, including pumpkin and herb tortelli, and gnocco fritto with cured meats, reflecting the influence of the river and the proximity to the Lombardy border.
After lunch, the tour continues in Gualtieri for a visit to the Antonio Ligabue Museum. The Museum opened its doors in Gualtieri in 1988 with the aim of exploring the figure and work of the eccentric and tormented artist Antonio Ligabue .
Inside, you'll find video testimonies, bibliographic and iconographic material about the painter, a painting with a gorilla, a recently acquired self-portrait, photographs, engravings, prints, and sculptures that celebrate his figure.
As the final stop on our itinerary, we pause in Guastalla, a town that features prominently in some of the key scenes of "Novecento", a movie by Bernardo Bertolucci, considered one of the "100 Italian movies to save," spanning the period from 1942 to 1978.
"Novecento" is a vast fresco of the last century, viewed through the lens of an Emilian territory so emblematic in representing women and men, society and struggles, dictatorships, wars, and liberation.
In particular, we'll focus on the train station, Corso Garibaldi, and Palazzo Ducale, where some of the most intense scenes were filmed.
