Piazza Gioberti

Just outside the ancient Jewish Ghetto of Reggio Emilia lies Piazza Vincenzo Gioberti, named after the famous patriot of the Italian Risorgimento.
Today it is an elegant urban space steeped in history and charm, but once upon a time the Crostolo stream flowed right here, cutting through the city and leaving its mark on its ancient layout.

Framing the square are two extraordinary symbols of Reggio’s heritage: the Palazzo Ducale, now the seat of the Provincial Council and the Prefecture, and the majestic Basilica della Ghiara, a true masterpiece of 17th-century Emilian architecture.

Recently redeveloped as part of the Ducato Estense project, the square marks the starting point of a charming 18th-century stroll: the very same route that the Duke of Este loved to take to reach the Reggia di Rivalta.
At the centre of the square stands the elegant elliptical fountain, a nod to the Este family’s taste for water features and the scenic design of historic gardens, alongside the large obelisk erected to mark the wedding of Princess Adelgonda of Bavaria and Crown Prince Francesco V d’Este.

A place where art, history and the charm of the Este court come together, offering visitors a corner of Reggio Emilia that is still waiting to be discovered.