Reggio Emilia is a town with a strong contemporary vocation. Many buildings with a famous past have undergone industrial archeology interventions and now host some of the most important excellences of the area. From the Tecnopolo to the Fonderia39, from the Maramotti Art Collection to Calatrava’s works, we will spend two days walking in the town to discover some contemporary artworks that have redefined the town's skyline in a modern way.
The calling card of modern Reggio greets you before you even set foot on the ground. Whether arriving by train or driving along the A1 motorway, your gaze is captured by the dazzling white and sinuous lines of architect Santiago Calatrava.
Must-see
The Mediopadana AV Station: a futuristic steel and glass structure that looks like a moving wave. Together with the three Bridges (the "Vele"), these works represent the new symbol of Reggio, part of a timeline of excellence starting from the Renaissance and leading to 21st-century design.
We move toward the area that once pulsed with the rhythm of Italy’s fourth-largest factory. Today, the Ex Officine Meccaniche Reggiane is the heart of the Innovation Park.
To do
Get your camera ready: this area is considered the largest street art laboratory in Europe. Walking along the perimeter and admiring the renovated Warehouses 17 and 18, you can see massive murals telling stories of labor memory and artistic rebellion. Nearby, the Loris Malaguzzi International Center showcases how design and pedagogy merge into a world-renowned educational standard.
Enter the heart of the Via Emilia for a close encounter between the Renaissance and social innovation.
To know
The San Pietro Cloisters complex is a 16th-century jewel. The Small Cloister is a hymn to Brunelleschian grace, while the Large Cloister will project you into the Mannerist atmospheres of Mantua’s Palazzo Te. Today, it also houses the Open Laboratory, a co-working space and cultural hub where monumental history lives alongside start-ups.
Day two is a true artistic scavenger hunt. The "Invito a..." project brought four giants of world art to "dialogue" with Reggio’s historic sites.
Featured Artworks
Back in Piazza Prampolini, we enter the Cathedral. Reopened in 2010 after extensive restoration, Reggio’s Duomo is a unique example of how sacred art can be strikingly modern.
To see
Inside, look for modern masterpieces perfectly integrated into the ancient architecture, such as the altar by Claudio Parmeggiani, made from Roman marble blocks, and the lectern by Japanese artist Hidetoshi Nagasawa.
We conclude our journey at a place every contemporary art lover must visit: the Collezione Maramotti, housed in the original Max Mara factory.
Must-see
The building itself is a masterpiece of industrial archaeology. Inside, you’ll find over 200 works representing global trends from 1945 to today.
Travel tip
Access is free but must be booked well in advance on the official website. You can reach it easily from the center using the City Minibus (Line E).
