AV Mediopadana High-Speed Rail Station

The Reggio Emilia AV Mediopadana railway station is much more than a railway facility: it is a strategic transport hub serving a catchment area of nearly two million people across western Emilia and southern Lombardy, and at the same time an internationally recognizable architectural landmark.
Opened in June 2013, the station is unique within Italy’s high-speed rail network. It is the only stop between Milan and Bologna on the high-speed line, making Reggio Emilia a privileged gateway to the surrounding region.
Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the station stands out for its striking white steel and glass canopy, stretching 483 meters in length.
Impressive in scale yet remarkably light in appearance, the structure reaches a width of up to 50 meters and an average height of 20 meters.
The roof is composed of a rhythmic sequence of geometric portals that create a flowing, wave-like pattern—now the defining feature of the entire structure.
This interplay of lines and volumes generates a dynamic visual effect, designed to engage in dialogue with the open landscape of the Po Valley.

The station is arranged over two levels:

• the lower level, accessible from outside, houses passenger services

• the upper level accommodates the high-speed rail platforms

These two levels are connected by escalators and panoramic lifts, ensuring fast and comfortable movement while offering striking views of the station’s architecture.
The AV Mediopadana station is an integral part of the wider urban regeneration project of Reggio Emilia’s northern area, which also includes the iconic Calatrava bridges.
Together, these works shape a new image of the city-modern, sustainable, and forward-looking.
For those arriving in Reggio Emilia, the station is not just a point of transit, but a first, memorable architectural experience that sets the tone for discovering the region.