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Palazzo Salvador Allende, formerly Palazzo Ducale

The actual building “Palazzo Ducale” (Ducal Palace) appeared in its present form only at the end of the 18th century. Until this period, the block bordered by Corso della Ghiara, Via S. Pietro Martire and Via Berti constituted the convent of the nuns of S.Pietro Martire (founded in 1260); whereas the part between Corso della Ghiara and Via Liberata was composed of fragmented remains of medieval origin (terraced housing).
Reggio Emilia
Palazzo Salvador Allende, formerly Palazzo Ducale

Address and contacts

Corso Garibaldi, 57-59 - 42121 Reggio nell'Emilia
sito web Prefecture
sito web Province of Reggio Emilia

Opening times

The Palace is visitable in the parts open to the public during the opening hours of the offices of Prefecture and Provice of Reggio Emilia

How to get there

Reggio nell'Emilia

The Palace is in the town centre, in front of the Basilica of the Holy Virgin of Ghiara.

Historical notes

On the 19th May 1783, by decree of Duke Francesco III, the Monastery of San Pietro was demolished and the Duke decided to have a Government Palace constructed. The project was entrusted to Pietro Armani.
At the end of 1786 the work could be considered finished and the next year the Commander of the army moved in. With the napoleonic conquest, starting from the Kingdom of Italy (4th May 1802) the palace was assigned to the use of the Prefects. The Restoration brought a reversalin the use of the Palace: in fact the delegates of the Council Offered the Palace to the Duke to be used as his residence during his stays in Reggio. The Duke arranged to incorporate some private dwellings and charged the architect Domenico Marchelli (1817) with a renovation project for the palace with the creation of an internal garden and a design for a new facade in Via San Pietro Martire.
Between 1838 and 1845, following the plans of Pietro Marchelli, the building underwent a series of interventions, the opening of the Via Santa Liberata, the demolition of part of the medieval structure, resulted in the present edifice, built on three courtyards.
Other major works were carried out in 1911 when the oratorio of Santa Liberata (founded in 1680 and later Duke’s private chapel) was demolished. The works carried out in 1911 gave to this palace, its present and final appearance both externally and in the inner parts.