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!
An unmissable first stop if you arrive in Reggio Emilia by highway or by train at the Mediopadana AV Station are the Calatrava Bridges.
Contemporary architectural works by the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, imposing and spectacular, they welcome travelers arriving in the city with a succession of dynamic lines and light structures that seem to float in the air. The pure white of the steel changes appearance according to the light of day, creating plays of shadows perfect to capture at dawn or sunset.
You can admire three of them: the main bridge that overlooks the A1 highway and the other two, near the first. If you are not driving, take the opportunity to admire and take a photo of the imposing covering structure of the station itself, entirely made of white painted steel and glass, another iconic work by the Valencian architect.
Moving into the historic center of Reggio Emilia, the architecture to immortalize transforms from contemporary to Renaissance.
An essential stop is the monumental complex of the Cloisters of San Pietro, an ancient Benedictine monastery designed by the architect Giulio Romano, among the most evocative sites of the Italian Renaissance, now home to exhibitions, events, and cultural festivals.
The plays of light between the columns, the frescoes of the small cloister, and the statues of the large cloister create the perfect setting for evocative shots.
Not surprisingly, this place is one of the protagonists of the Fotografia Europea Festival every spring.
If you love architectural photography, play with the symmetries and geometries of the arches to capture unique shots.
Leaving the Cloisters and walking along Via Emilia, you'll reach one of the most beautiful courtyards in the city: Palazzo Fontanelli Sacrati.
A small jewel hidden in the heart of the city, intimate and charming: its internal courtyard, adorned with a well and a large wisteria that in spring offers an explosion of colors, is one of the most photographed places in the city.
The palace was built at the end of the fifteenth century, renovated in the late 1920s, and preserves under the portico the beautiful ornaments of the facade and the original columns.
The courtyard is perfect for shots with a romantic atmosphere, with a soft light that makes it particularly evocative at sunset.
Let's move closer to the largest square in the historic center, Piazza Martiri del 7 luglio.
This square will be the ideal set for photographs that combine history and modernity.
On one side, the imposing neoclassical Teatro Valli - a photo of its facade is a must here - on the other, the luminous fountains that at sunset offer unique plays of reflections that invite contemplation, rest, and relaxation.
But that's not all! Shifting your gaze to the right and approaching the Palazzo dei Musei, let yourself be amazed by a work of interesting composition: it's 'Curiosa Meravigliosa', an extraordinary installation by the Catalan artist Joan Fontcuberta. This gigantic puzzle of ceramic photographs decorates the facade and was created with the help of citizens. Have fun finding the shots that compose it!
Once here, the first panoramic shot of the city of Reggio is a must: enter the Palazzo dei Musei, open every day except Monday, and go up to the second floor, then look out the windows. You will admire the entire Piazza della Vittoria from above.
A stone's throw from the Museum is Piazza del Monte, a frequently passed place as it is located right along Via Emilia and enclosed by numerous notable and historically important buildings.
By freely entering the seventeenth-century Palazzo Bussetti, recently restored and now home to a shopping arcade, go up to the second floor: you will have another exclusive and lesser-known glimpse of the nearby Hotel Posta, Palazzo del Podestà and the square itself.
Perfect for those looking for unique perspectives away from the usual shots!
Let's continue the route by moving into one of the most admired and photographed spaces in the town of Reggio Emilia: the emblematic Sala del Tricolore, inside the Town Hall. It is freely and freely accessible by entering from the Museum of the Tricolour in Piazza Casotti during the opening hours of the latter.
We recommend taking the photo by positioning yourself from the main door to have a complete overview of the room where the First Tricolour was proclaimed in 1797.
Almost at the end of our photographic tour, we reveal another hidden spot from which to capture a memory of the historic center. Head to the intersection of Via San Carlo and Via Squadroni and look up: what you will see is the dome of the Church of San Giorgio, a hidden, but very characteristic glimpse of Reggio Emilia. You can't leave without capturing it!
For the final stop, take a few steps back to visit the most beautiful contemporary fresco in the city: it is located in the vault of the Reading Room of the Panizzi Library. Sol LeWitt and his team have created a vortex of colors that will leave you speechless.
Perfect for those who love contrasts between ancient and modern in photography!
