Scandiano, with its medieval castles, lush hills and unique flavours, is the perfect destination for discovering history, art and nature in the heart of Emilia.
Scandiano is located along the course of the Tresinaro River, about 16 km south-east of Reggio Emilia.
It is a town rich in history, art and culture, with an elegant historic centre where medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture intertwine. The town is famous above all for the Boiardo Fortress, an imposing fortress that is the symbol of the area, and for the nature trails that surround it.
Scandiano is a delightful place to visit all year. In spring and summer, days are perfect for walking through the streets of the historic centre, exploring the nature trails and taking part in the numerous music and cultural festivals. Autumn, on the other hand, invites you to discover local traditions through festivals and events dedicated to local products. In the winter months, the town lends itself to more leisurely visits, taking in museums, churches and the evocative historic atmosphere of its hamlets.
What to see
Rocca dei Boiardo
imposing medieval fortress and symbol of the city, featuring architectural elements ranging from Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque styles. It once housed frescoes by Nicolò dell’Abate, now in the Galleria Estense in Modena.
Santa Maria Parish Church dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, it houses the polychrome group of the Madonna del Rosario (16th century) and the tomb of Lazzaro Spallanzani.
San Giuseppe Church 18th-century church, with a tabernacle from the Ceccati school and remains of frescoes attributed to Nicolò dell’Abate.
Clock Tower and the birthplace of Lazzaro Spallanzani famous 18th-century naturalist and now a national monument.
Nearby
Arceto Castle one of the oldest ones in the district, first mentioned in 863.
Main events
St Joseph’s Festival - third and fourth weekends of March Exhibition of agricultural, commercial, industrial and artisanal products.
festivaLOVE-Lovers in Scandiano - last weekend of May White Nights featuring music, theatre, visual arts, artistic performances, installations and children’s activities inspired by the theme of falling in love, drawing on Matteo Maria Boiardo’s poem “L’Orlando Innamorato”.
The Palio dell’Angelica - last weekend of September Cultural events and performances celebrating the figure of Angelica and the historical context in which Boiardo lived. Activities include theatre performances, historical re-enactments and concerts of Renaissance music, involving specialist artists and theatre companies.
Santa Caterina Festival - third and fourth weekends of November Exhibition of craft and food products, hobbyists’ market.
At table
Scandiano lies at the heart of the wine-growing hills of the Colli di Scandiano and Canossa (DOC), producing wines such as Lambrusco and Spergola.
Among the typical dishes, zabaglione stands out, a historic cream dessert that originated here and has become famous throughout Italy.
Sport and outdoor activities
Nature lovers can explore several outdoor trails such as:
the Sentiero dell’Antica Corte di Figno;
the Tresinaro and the Great Oak (Tresinaro e la Grande Quercia);
the Sentiero del Fornacione;
the Monte Gesso-Monte Vangelo Loop (Anello Monte Gesso-Monte Vangelo).
Local history
The origins of Scandiano date back to very ancient times: the area is, in fact, one of the oldest human settlements in the province, rich in archaeological, historical and artistic artefacts. The famous “Venus” comes from the Neolithic village of Chiozza; discovered in 1940 and now housed in the Palazzo dei Musei, it stands as a symbol of this land’s deep-rooteThe first fortified settlement of the village was established in 1262 with the construction of the castle by Gilberto Fogliani, a member of a powerful noble family, to which Guido Riccio also belonged - a figure made famous by Simone Martini’s painting in Siena.The territory then passed to the Este family and, from 1432, to the Boiardo family, among whom poet Matteo Maria Boiardo stands out, having helped to make Scandiano an important cultural town of the Renaissance.Upon the death of the last of the Boiardo family, Ippolito, in 1560, the fiefdom reverted to the Ducal House of Este: several investitures followed until it became a direct dominion of the Este family until the Risorgimento. Scandiano still stands as one of the most significant socio-economic towns between the hills and the plains: a dynamic and vibrant area, characterized by agricultural, commercial and industrial activities. Its strategic location, at the foot of the hills and close to the Apennine valleys, has over time fostered development, particularly in the ceramics district, one of the area’s most representative manufacturing fields.
Famous people
Lazzaro Spallanzani (1711-1778), naturalist e physiologist, definito da Pasteur “uno dei più grandi sperimentatori” di tutti i tempi.
Antonio Vallisneri (1661-1730), remarkable scientist and disciple of Malpighi.
Matteo Maria Boiardo (1441–1496), famous poet and innovator of chivalric epic poetry, best known for his masterpiece L’Orlando Innamorato.
Luigi Ghirri (1943-1992), one of the most important Italian photographers, also known worldwide.
Antonio Vallisneri (1661–1730), a prominent scientist and disciple of the famous Malpighi.
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Identity and traditions
Altitude 95 m Postcode 42019 Weekly market Monday; on Wednesdays, the market is held in the hamlet of Arceto. Patron saint Saint Catherine (November 25) Hamlets Arceto, Bosco, Cacciola, Ca' de' Caroli, Chiozza, Fellegara, Iano, Pratissolo, Rondinara, San Ruffino, Ventoso.
