Poviglio

Information

Altitude: 25 m
Inhabitants: 7.020 (updated to December 31, 2023)
Post code: 42028
Weekly market day: Saturday
Patron Saint: Santo Stefano (December 26)
Hamlets: Fodico, Godezza, San Sisto, Enzola, Casalpò

CONTACTS

0039 0522 966811 - Municipality
Municipality of Poviglio

How to get there

Poviglio

By car
From the exit of the Reggio Emilia Motorway A1: take the road SS358 to Castelnovo di Sotto-Brescello. If you rather follow Via Emilia (SS9), you have to turn north past Sant'Ilario d'Enza.

By bus
From Reggio Emilia, Piazzale Europa: bus No. 93.

Historical notes

The territory of Poviglio was densely populated during the Bronze Age, when the terramara settlements were built. After the Iron Age, about which we have no information, the area was colonized by the Etruscans in the 6th century b.C. An invasion by the Celts caused a decline in the IV century b.C. Following this time, the Romans colonized the area; traces are still visible in the countryside today of their characteristic system of checkerboard roads and plots of farmland called "centuriation".

The municipal territory, located in the lowlands of the Reggio Emilia province, covers an area of 43 square kilometres.

Reasons to visit

It is possible to admire the Santo Stefano Church, dating back to the 12th century, which contains a work by the painter Carlo Zatti. The bell tower, built in the 14th century, has an upper cell in three-mullioned windows with a flat balustrade roof.

Not to be missed

Santa Rosa Terramara
One of the largest “terramaras” in Europe can be found in the province of Reggio Emilia, composed of a settlement with two dwellings covering seven hectares and dating back to a time between the 16th and 12th century b.C. The terramara culture, considered one of the most important civilizations in European pre-history, arose and developed in the Po River Valley between around 1650 and 1150 b.C. The terramaras were square-shaped fortified villages, enclosed by embankments (or palisades in the more ancient forms) and ditches, located in the water courses.

The site of the Santa Rosa Terramara can be visited during summer excavations, with free guided tours.
The tours include a short introduction to the terramara culture and the Santa Rosa site, as well an illustration of the areas currently being excavated, work procedures, the most recent discoveries, the stratigraphy and the structural elements currently visible.
The Terramara Museum, instead, can be visited all year; inside are collections of materials coming from the excavations of the important Bronze Age Terramara and the remains of a Roman villa found in the village of Fodico.

Events

Spring Festival - Third Sunday of April
Flowers and plants, local food and wine products, artists and collectors, sales of ecological products, entertainment and street art performances.

What to eat

Another point of interest is the cuisine of Poviglio, faithfully reflecting a land rich in traditions and flavours, and recipes such as that of erbazzone, a particular savoury pie based on spinach, green onions and Grana cheese. The production of cold pork meats and Lambrusco, the most exported Italian wine - fresh and light -, is also excellent. During festivals, cold pork meats and Lambrusco accompany fried dumpling. Local desserts include: Christmas tortellini, fried or cooked in the oven with their delicious jam filling, walnuts and liquor; intrigoni or chiacchiere (at Carnival time), spongata and nut liquor, typical infusion of this area, of which every elderly lady has her own exclusive recipe.

Useful links

• Museums in Poviglio
• Churches in Poviglio
• Where to stay in Poviglio
• Where to eat in Poviglio
• All files of Poviglio