Reggia di Rivalta

The Reggia di Rivalta, located in the hamlet of the same name on the outskirts of Reggio Emilia, is one of the most fascinating monumental complexes in Emilia.
Built starting from 1723 at the behest of Duke Francesco III d’Este and his consort Charlotte Aglaé d’Orléans, the residence was conceived as a true "Little Versailles", a symbol of the prestige of the Este court.
The architectural project was initially entrusted to the Reggiano architect Giovanni Maria Ferraroni and later to Ludovico Bolognini, who also designed the famous Sala del Tricolore (Tricolore Hall).
The palace was completed in 1733, while the large park continued to be enriched with scenographic features and gardens over the following decades.
Between 1740 and 1760, the Reggia experienced its golden age: lavish parties, balls, and celebrations that recalled the elegance of the French courts transformed the villa into a true Emilian "Little Versailles."
In 1796, however, the arrival of Napoleonic troops marked a moment of crisis: the villa was occupied, stripped, and damaged.
In the early years of the 19th century, some parts were demolished and the garden was converted to agricultural use, but the memory of its splendor was not lost.

The grand restoration of the Park

In June 2025, a monumental restoration and enhancement project for the 26 hectares of the Reggia di Rivalta Park was completed, funded by the Ministry of Culture as part of the national Ducato Estense project.
Now, the Park has come back to life, restoring the original magnificence of the place to visitors: renewed gardens, evocative paths, and four large fountain-basins with water displays that recall the Baroque elegance of the past.
Nearly 500 new plantings - including poplars, maples, and elms - reshape the green spaces, standing alongside the historical mulberry trees that bear witness to the ancient eighteenth-century layout.
The park also preserves the Secret Garden, reinterpreted following the historical layout drawn by Alfonso Tacoli in 1751: Baroque geometries of hornbeam hedges enclose soft lawn surfaces and patterns created with evergreen shrubs, while the centuries-old mulberry trees along the central axis tell the history of the site.
The two large oval fountains, restored with a contemporary touch, become the protagonists of evocative settings with their water displays, capable of enchanting visitors in every season.
In the center of the complex lies the Central Park, a wide grassy expanse that changes appearance with the seasons thanks to field blooms and natural meadows.
Diagonal avenues offering new perspectives, pergolas marking the intersections of the paths, and boulevards following the ancient perimeter wall invite visitors to enjoy relaxing walks.
The project was also designed with sustainability in mind, featuring reduced maintenance and irrigation requirements, as well as accessibility: the park is barrier-free, illuminated, and equipped with seating, benches, fixtures, and services.

The Reggia di Rivalta is today a place where history, art, and nature meet a journey through time amidst Baroque elegance, royal festivities, and scenic tranquility, ideal for families, culture enthusiasts, and anyone wishing to enjoy an immersive experience between past and present.