What to do in Reggio Emilia when it rains

It happens even to the most well-prepared travellers. You book well in advance, check the weather forecast every day, and yet the sky decides to change your plans. But a rainy day is not a wasted day, especially when it comes to a city like Reggio Emilia: elegant, easy to explore and full of surprises. All it takes is a change of perspective and choosing experiences that allow you to discover the area through art, culture, history and local flavours, while staying comfortably indoors.

For those staying at Il Brugnolo, as well as for anyone in Reggio Emilia looking for things to do when it rains, we have put together a few ideas that allow you to experience the city to the fullest even on less fortunate days weather-wise.

Explore the museums

Museums are one of the first options to consider when it rains, and Reggio Emilia offers a wide enough selection to choose from according to your interests. The natural starting point is Palazzo dei Musei, the main home of the Civic Museums, which brings together collections devoted to archaeology, ethnography, art history, natural history and the history of the city. Not far away, the Galleria Parmeggiani houses paintings, furniture, textiles, weapons and decorative art objects. Contemporary art enthusiasts can visit the Maramotti Collection, with an important selection of works created from 1945 to the present day. Then there is the Tricolour Museum, dedicated to the history of the Italian flag, which was adopted in Reggio Emilia in 1797. In addition to those mentioned above, there are also other museums that are less well known but no less interesting.

Discover the religious heritage

Museums are not the only places offering the chance to spend a few hours indoors. Reggio Emilia is home to churches and basilicas of remarkable beauty, which bear witness to the city’s history and house works of great artistic value. The city’s main religious building is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, which combines Romanesque elements with fifteenth-century alterations and even extends into the realm of contemporary art. Alongside the cathedral, the Basilica of San Prospero, one of the leading examples of Emilian Baroque, and the Basilica della Beata Vergine della Ghiara, one of Italy’s most important Marian sanctuaries, are undoubtedly worth a visit. Exploring these places offers another way to discover Reggio Emilia’s history through architecture, art and devotion, while making the most of the shelter provided by their interiors.

Discover the secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano

When it comes to the Reggio Emilia area, Parmigiano Reggiano simply cannot be left out. And a rainy day can be the perfect opportunity to step inside a cheese factory and see for yourself how the king of cheeses is made. During the visits, you can follow the different stages of production, from processing the milk in large copper vats to the formation of the wheels, including the curdling process and traditional cutting of the curd. The tour always ends with a tasting, featuring samples of different maturation periods that show just how much time can change flavour and texture. Several cheese factories in and around Reggio Emilia welcome visitors, including Consorzio Vacche Rosse and Caseificio San Simone, to name just a few. Guided tours can be booked by contacting the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium or the cheese factory directly.

Visit a balsamic vinegar producer

After Parmigiano Reggiano, another local product that deserves attention is Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO. Recognised as one of the finest examples of Italian gastronomic excellence, it is made exclusively from cooked grape must, mainly from Lambrusco and Trebbiano grapes carefully grown in the Reggio Emilia area, and aged for at least 12 years in wooden barrels. A gloomy day is ideal for discovering its secrets. Visiting a balsamic vinegar producer means immersing yourself in a story of passion, patience and traditions passed down through generations. In Reggio Emilia, one example is Acetaia Ferretti Corradini, where visitors can learn about the production process and the long history of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia PDO. The visit ends with a tasting of balsamic vinegars paired with other local specialities.

Treat yourself to something delicious

There is no better way to beat the grey skies of a rainy day than by indulging in the genuine flavours of Emilian tradition. Reggio Emilia is the home of Parmigiano Reggiano and traditional balsamic vinegar, but also of erbazzone, cappelletti in broth, green and pumpkin tortelli, gnocco fritto, chizze, Lambrusco and spongata, the traditional Christmas cake that can be found here almost all year round. The narrow streets and squares of the historic centre are dotted with osterias, trattorias, bakeries, delicatessens and historic cafés. The only problem is choosing where to go. Between one visit and the next, treating yourself to a delicious break at one of the city’s cafés or eateries, with misted-up windows and the sound of rain in the background, is a pleasure that is hard to beat.

Enjoy a theatre performance

When it rains, why not take the opportunity to see a show? Reggio Emilia has a long theatrical tradition, with several venues in the historic centre that contribute to the city’s vibrant cultural scene. The area between Piazza della Vittoria and Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio is home to three theatres. The first, the Teatro Municipale named after Romolo Valli, mainly hosts opera seasons, concerts and musicals. The second, the Teatro dedicated to Ludovico Ariosto, primarily stages plays. The third, the Teatro Cesare Zavattini (more commonly known as Teatro Cavallerizza), is dedicated to contemporary and experimental performances. For those who would like to take a closer look at the world of theatre, Teatro Valli regularly offers guided tours that provide an opportunity to admire historic halls and spaces that are normally not accessible to the public.