My daughter and I moved from the US to Reggio Emilia, Italy four years ago–and each day I feel lucky to call this beautiful, little city home. From the historic center’s elegant piazzas and winding alleyways to the verdant hills, windswept mountains, and enchanting castle ruins characteristic of the surrounding countryside once ruled by Matilde di Canossa–there is something magical about Reggio.
This corner of Emilia-Romagna is particularly famed for its production of Parmigiano-Reggiano, Lambrusco wine, and balsamic vinegar. Nestled in Italy’s food valley, beloved local cuisine includes gnocco fritto served with prosciutto crudo, erbazzone for a savory bite, and fresh tortelli pasta stuffed with everything from greens to pumpkin and potato.
The “Tricolor City” is also the birthplace of the Italian flag and is known for its internationally-adopted Reggio Emilia teaching method. There are so many facets of living unique to this little part of the world, and I will give our city more thorough and deserving exploration in future posts. But for now, here are a few captured moments from a rainy spring morning in the beating heart of Reggio Emilia.