Crostolo River Greenway

The Crostolo Greenway is a cycle and footpath that runs alongside the banks of the Crostolo stream along its urban stretch from Roncocesi to the municipal boundary with the hamlet of Puianello, in the municipality of Vezzano sul Crostolo.

The Crostolo Park, also known as Parco delle Caprette (Goat Park) due to the presence of a few Tibetan goats and some ponies, covers 700 hectares on both banks of the stream and is the most beloved park among the people of Reggio Emilia, a true green lung connecting the northern and southern parts of the city. The meeting point of the two routes is the Ponte di San Pellegrino, which features two of the statues that once stood in the ducal villa at Rivalta. Within the park, visitors can admire the three 18th-century Este residences: the Reggia di Rivalta, home to Francesco III d’Este and Carlotta d’Orléans; Villa d’Este, also known as Vasca di Corbelli; and the private villa of Rivaltella. 

The southern route (from the San Pellegrino Bridge to Vezzano sul Crostolo) coincides with the town link (Stage 4) of the Via Matildica del Volto Santo, a walking route that retraces the places associated with the Great Countess Matilda of Canossa.

To the north, however, the route reaches Casa Manfredi, a former partisan hideout featuring the ‘Partigiano Reggiano’ mural, and continues on to the municipality of Cadelbosco, opening up the fascinating landscape of the reclaimed lowlands for visitors to explore. 

Crostolo Park is linked to Rodano Park via the green spaces on Via Settembrini, and to Modolena Park via Via Pascal, between the Reggia di Rivalta and Strada della Cavalla. The route can be covered on foot or by bike and is suitable for everyone.