Sassuolo and Salvarola: history, ceramics, and relaxation

Start your day with a stroll through the historic center of Sassuolo.

The heart of the city is Piazza Garibaldi, dominated by the Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower), the symbol of the city. Long home to the outdoor marketplace, the piazza was built by Alessandro Pio who also constructed the Palazzo della Ragione and the Osteria della Posta.

Two small canals (the “Canalette”), once part of the city’s water system, also characterize the Piazza at the center of the old town.

Designed in the rough shape of a horseshoe, Piazza Garibaldi boasts an elegant portico, added in the eighteenth century to give a more harmonious aspect to this public space.

Shops of different kinds line the colonnade, including such historical enterprises as the old-timey Drogheria Roteglia. The original furnishings, which date to 1848, the creaking of the floorboards, the jars of candies, and the odors of wood and spices will carry you back in time. Here you can taste the liqueurs that are characteristic of local tradition—Nocino and Sassolino, for example, which are still crafted as they once were.

Head over now to the Piazzale della Rosa, where you can admire the majestic Palazzo Ducale. 

Also known as a "Delizia” of the Duke of Este, it was the summer residence and official headquarters of the Court and one of the most important Baroque residences in Italy. Its murals, decorations in stucco, and beautiful sculptures make the Palazzo Ducale a masterpiece of art and architecture sure to captivate anyone who walks through its sumptuous rooms.

Don't neglect the Palazzo’s exterior where the grand Peschiera is located. This astonishing hydraulic contrivance includes a large pond where fish were farmed for the use of the court; today it resembles a spectacular theater and a fountain in one.

Before traveling on, stop in a local restaurant to savor such traditional delicacies of Emilia’s cuisine as fresh pasta and fried gnocco (with every bite, you’ll fall more in love with the city).

After lunch, take in the Museo della Ceramica (Ceramics Museum) in Spezzano Castle and discover the long tradition of ceramics-making in this part of Italy. In fact, this museum tells the story of ceramic production in the area that is today the Modena-Reggio Emilia industrial district.

In the new multimedia display, an experiential journey invites you to travel through time from the end of the nineteenth century to listen to the voices of the men and women who made the ceramics industry what it is today. Learn about their lives, their jobs, their personal stories, and their accomplishments.

And now the time has come to relax at the Terme della Salvarola Spa. 

Enjoy the hot springs, slip into the health-giving waters, and let your worries fade away. The experience is always invigorating!