Reggio Emilia is a city that reveals itself to the most attentive eyes: futuristic bridges, plays of light among Renaissance architecture, reflections in modern fountains, hidden details in its historic courtyards.
This itinerary will guide you through the best spots to capture, whether you're a professional photographer, a social media enthusiast, or a simple traveler with a passion for the lens.
Camera in hand and off we go: let yourself be inspired by the many faces of Reggio Emilia and get ready to capture the city in every detail!
Tips
If you have more time, you can extend your photography tour by visiting:
These stops allow you to expand your visit and discover other characteristic views of the historic center.
Useful info
An unmissable first stop if you arrive in Reggio Emilia by highway or by train at the Mediopadana AV Station are the Calatrava Bridges.
To see
Must-see
The best shots are captured at sunrise or sunset, when the low-angle light highlights the metal structure and creates highly dramatic shadows.
Curiosity
The three bridges are part of a unified architectural project that includes the high-speed railway station. This intervention has transformed the city’s northern entrance into a truly contemporary monumental gateway.
Travel tips
To photograph them safely, it is recommended to use the viewpoints located along the local roads and in the vicinity of the Mediopadana AV station.
Moving into the heart of the city, the scenery shifts from contemporary architecture to the Renaissance with the Chiostri di San Pietro complex, an ancient Benedictine monastery designed in the 16th century by the architect Giulio Romano.
Today, the complex serves as one of the city's premier cultural hubs, hosting exhibitions, festivals, and events.
To see
Must-see
The play of light between the columns and the arches of the large cloister: these are perfect for capturing symmetrical photography and geometric compositions.
Events
Every spring, the cloisters become a landmark venue for Fotografia Europea, the international photography festival that draws visitors from all over Italy.
Photography tip
Position yourself exactly in the center of the cloister to take full advantage of the symmetrical arches and achieve perfectly balanced shots.
Continuing your journey, you will reach Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio, the largest square in the historic center.
Here, historic architecture, cultural spaces, and contemporary installations meet.
To see
Must-see
The installation "Curiosa Meravigliosa" by artist Joan Fontcuberta: a giant mosaic made of ceramic photographs, created through the collective participation of the city's residents.
Curiosity
The artwork is composed of thousands of individual images that together form a single, massive visual composition dedicated to the collective memory of the city.
Photography tip
Head inside the Palazzo dei Musei and go up to the second floor: the windows offer a stunning panoramic view overlooking Piazza della Vittoria.
Just a few steps away lies Piazza del Monte, one of the historic squares crossed by the ancient Via Emilia.
By entering the 17th-century Palazzo Bussetti, now beautifully restored and home to a shopping gallery, you can reach a hidden gem of a viewpoint.
To see
Must-see
The view from the second floor of the building: it offers an original glimpse of the square, tucked away from the more crowded photography spots.
Curiosity
The building takes its name from the Bussetti family, an ancient and noble dynasty from Reggio Emilia.
The journey continues toward one of the city’s most symbolic locations: the Sala del Tricolore (Tricolor Hall), located inside the Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale).
It was here, in 1797, that the first Italian Tricolor flag was proclaimed, now a cherished national symbol.
To see
Must-see
A panoramic photo of the entire hall taken from the main doorway to capture the full perspective of the chamber.
To know
Admission to the hall is free of charge during the opening hours of the Museo del Tricolore, which serves as the entrance.
Almost at the end of the photographic route one discovers one of the most hidden views of the city.
At the intersection of Via San Carlo and Via Squadroni looking up you can photograph the dome of the Church of San Giorgio, which appears among the surrounding buildings creating a very striking perspective.
This urban foreshortening is perfect for vertical photographs that enhance the perspective between the buildings.
Must-see
To conclude the tour, enter the Panizzi Library, one of the city's main cultural centers.
In the reading room is Whirls and Twirls, the large contemporary fresco created by artist Sol LeWitt: a swirl of colors that creates a striking contrast with the library's historic architecture.
Photography tip
Shoot upward to capture the entire color movement of the work.
