The Treasures of San Martino in Rio

In the heart of the Reggio Emilia plain, San Martino in Rio is home to one of the region’s most fascinating historic complexes: the Rocca Estense, now a vibrant cultural centre and a treasure trove of collective memory.

Museo dell’Agricoltura and Rural Life

Inside the Rocca is Museo dell'Agricultura and Rural Life, one of the most important ethnographic museums in Emilia-Romagna.
An engaging exhibition covering approximately 845 square metres that recounts rural life through sections dedicated to traditional crafts: from hemp processing to weaving, and from milling to cheese-making.
An authentic journey into the everyday life of days gone by, featuring objects, tools and stories from rural life.

Centuries of history between Canossa and Este

La Rocca tells a long and complex story: once owned by the Canossa family, it was destroyed and rebuilt on several occasions, including during Frederick Barbarossa’s campaigns, until it took on its present form between the 15th and 16th centuries.
It subsequently passed to the Roberti family of Reggio, then to the Este family, and finally to the Rango family of Aragon, becoming an important stronghold in the region.

During the visit, you can admire some truly fascinating rooms, such as the Gothic-style cappella di San Giovanni (15th century) and the noble apartments with their frescoes, stucco work and wooden ceilings dating from the 15th to the 18th centuries.
The surviving tower is also particularly impressive, with its Ghibelline-style battlements and original defensive system still clearly visible.

A vibrant cultural hub

Today the fortress is a true cultural center of the area: it houses Pinacoteca Coppelli, the Civic Library, the Historical Archives, and the Open Archives dedicated to Henghel Gualdi.

Visits to the Rocca and the Museo dell'Agricoltura

Guided visits to the Rocca and the Museum offer an immersive experience blending history, art, and rural traditions.

COSTS
Full: € 5.00
Reduced admission: Young people aged 12–18, university students, over-65s, and groups of more than 10 people: € 2.50
Under-12s, people with disabilities and one accompanying person: free

Contacts

Corso Umberto I, 22
42018 San Martino in Rio
tel. +39 0522 636726 - Office
tel. +39 0522 636740 - Museum
museo@comune.sanmartinoinrio.re.it
Museo dell'Agricoltura e del Mondo Rurale