Rodano River Greenway
A park stretching along the banks of the Rodano stream, featuring protected areas and natural springs.
Transport methods
Spanning 400 hectares, the Rodano Park wraps around the eastern side of Reggio Emilia.
A striking terracotta arch along Via Emilia marks the entrance to the Mauriziano - the 15th-century residence of the poet Ludovico Ariosto - and its adjoining vineyard.
Right alongside stands the Asineria di Reggio Emilia, an educational donkey farm dedicated to promoting slow travel and local exploration in the company of Ariosto's donkeys.
The 7-kilometre cycle and pedestrian route connects the Mauriziano with various other sites of ecological interest. Heading north, the path (currently being finalised) skirts the new RCF Arena Campovolo, runs alongside the Mediopadana High-Speed Railway Station, and terminates in the municipality of Bagnolo in Piano.
The landscape is defined by several resurgence springs (fontanili) and a protected site designated as an Ecological Rebalancing Area (Area di Riequilibrio Ecologico).
The park connects to the Acque Chiare district - whose layout mirrors the traditional countryside grid of hedgerows, tree rows, and drainage channels, alongside an herbal physics garden (Giardino di Gabrina) - and extends towards the Crostolo Park via the green corridors of Via Settembrini.
The route follows Stage 1 of the Spallanzani Trail (Sentiero Spallanzani), which links the Palazzo dei Musei (the permanent home of the Spallanzani collection) to the municipality of Scandiano, site of the scientist's birthplace and the Boiardo castle.
The traffic-free cycle and walking path follows the course of the Rodano stream, skirting sites of outstanding historical and ecological interest.
Completely flat, it offers an easy, accessible route for both cyclists and walkers.
Find out more about:
Asineria di Reggio Emilia
