A tour of contemporary Reggio Emilia

Introduzione

A tour exploring contemporary Reggio Emilia, a city that looks to the future without forgetting its roots. Signature architecture, public art, innovation, design, research and creativity intertwine in a journey that reveals the city’s most modern side.
From the iconic works of Santiago Calatrava to spaces dedicated to culture, from internationally renowned educational institutions to collections of contemporary art, this itinerary takes visitors through places that symbolise a dynamic Reggio Emilia, open to change and at the forefront of the transformations of our time.

Information

The route runs between the historic centre and the outskirts and can be covered on foot or by car in some sections.

By bike
For those who wish to explore the route by bike, the ideal starting point is Piazzale Marconi railway station, where the BiciBox bike hire service is available.

Route description

1. Stazione AV Mediopadana

Stazione Mediopadana AV is one of the most recognisable landmarks of modern Reggio Emilia. With its undulating white steel structure, it serves as a major hub on the high-speed rail line between Milan and Bologna and is one of the most significant architectural works in recent Italian history.

2. I Ponti di Calatrava

The three elegant white structures spanning the motorway have become a true icon of the city. Together with the high-speed rail station, they form part of the regeneration project for the northern area and are reshaping the city skyline, welcoming visitors with a modern and distinctive image of Reggio Emilia.

3. The Evolution of Ingenuity by Franco Reggiani

Just a short walk from the Stazione Mediopadana AV stands this monumental sculpture dedicated to the history of Italian motoring. The work, created by Reggio Emilia-based artist Franco Reggiani, brings together parts from seven famous racing cars, creating a striking fusion of art, design and technological innovation.

4. Dance of the Stars and Constellations by Eliseo Mattiacci – Fonderia39

The headquarters of the National Dance Foundation was created through the restoration of an industrial complex that has been converted for this purpose. In the outer courtyard stands a work by Eliseo Mattiacci, a fascinating installation that invites visitors to reflect on the relationship between humanity, art and the universe, in an ongoing dialogue between creativity and research.

5. Fish Out of Water and Ianua Coeli

Two contemporary artworks engage in dialogue with the city’s history near Porta Santa Croce. Pesce Fuor d’Acqua, created by Giovanni Menada, recalls the district’s manufacturing past and its connection with water, a key element in the development of Reggio Emilia’s historic silk production. Ianua Coeli, a work by Giordano Montorsi, offers a modern interpretation of the concept of an urban gateway, symbolizing a city that is open, inclusive, and constantly evolving.

6. Loris Malaguzzi International Centre

A global reference point for early childhood education, the Loris Malaguzzi International Centre welcomes scholars, teachers, and researchers from all over the world. Housed in a restored former industrial area, it showcases one of Reggio Emilia’s most internationally renowned achievements and the pedagogical legacy of Loris Malaguzzi.

7. Tecnopolo

Innovation, research, and technology transfer find their home at the Tecnopolo of Reggio Emilia. Established to foster collaboration between universities, businesses, and research centres, it represents one of the main drivers of the region’s economic and scientific development.

8. Less Than di Robert Morris – Chiostri di San Domenico

In the evocative Chiostro Piccolo of the Chiostri of San Domenico stands one of the works created as part of the Invito a... project, which brought leading international contemporary artists to Reggio Emilia. Robert Morris’s sculpture engages in dialogue with the silence and atmosphere of the site, creating an intense and immersive artistic experience.

9. L'Araba Fenice by Luciano Fabro

Located at the campus of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, this elegant seven-metre-high marble column, created by Luciano Fabro, combines contemporary art and symbolism, evoking themes of rebirth and transformation.

10. Museo del Tricolore – Contemporary Art Section

In addition to preserving the history of the Italian flag, the Museo del Tricolore houses a significant collection of contemporary artworks created as part of the "90 Artists for a Flag project", offering an original perspective on the dialogue between art, memory, and national identity.

11. Whirls and Twirls di Sol LeWitt – Biblioteca Panizzi

In the monumental Reading Room of the Panizzi Library, the large-scale painted intervention by American artist Sol LeWitt stands out for its colours, forms, and scale. An immersive work that transforms a space dedicated to knowledge into a place of wonder and creativity.

12. L'Opera di Marco Gerra – Piazzale Duca d'Aosta

At ten metres high, this monumental sculpture recalls the city’s industrial heritage and invites reflection on the value of knowledge, expressed in the famous Latin inscription at its base: “Extra cognitionem nulla salus” (“Without knowledge, there is no salvation”).

13. Collezione Maramotti

The tour ends in the Maramotti Collection, one of the most important spaces dedicated to contemporary art in Italy. Housed in the first factory of the Max Mara group, it brings together over two hundred works by Italian and international artists, offering a fascinating journey through the main artistic trends from the second post-war period to the present day.