Campagnola Emilia: Parks, history and food

Campagnola Emilia: parks, history and food

Parco Urbano, historic sites and culinary events offer different perspectives on Campagnola Emilia. In the park, walking and cycling paths sit alongside a pavilion for initiatives and workshops. The town’s history includes Chiesa di Sant’Andrea and Piazza Roma, while food events celebrate salami and Ciccioli. This gives you a range of interests to consider for your trip, rather than limiting it to a single theme.

Paths in Parco Urbano and the plain to the north

Parco Urbano has paths for walking and cycling. A centuries-old elm stands in a clearing. A pavilion is intended for initiatives and workshops, while an arena hosts events. The park therefore combines opportunities for exercise with places for community activities and events. The paths are suited to people who want to get around on foot or by bicycle; the pavilion and arena offer other, distinct points of interest. The park thus offers several ways to enjoy time outdoors.

A different connection to the landscape lies a few kilometres north of Campagnola Emilia, at Oasi Lipu Celestina. It is situated in the flat plain of the province of Reggio Emilia. While Parco Urbano is characterised by its paths, pavilion and arena, the Oasi is a reminder of the surrounding plain. The two places therefore offer different spatial perspectives: landscaped park areas and the Oasi’s location north of the town. If nature and landscape are factors in choosing your destination, this distinction can be a useful guide.

Chiesa di Sant’Andrea and traces of history

Chiesa di Sant’Andrea, also known as Chiesa del Castellazzo, is first mentioned along with Castello di Campagnola in a list of Bonifacio di Canossa’s possessions. Bonifacio, who died in 1052, was Matilde’s father. The church is Romanesque and has 15th-century frescoes. It lies about 1.5 kilometres from the town centre. Its style, frescoes and distance from the centre offer different points of reference for including the church in your travel plans.

The access arrangements are important for a visit: Chiesa di Sant’Andrea is privately owned and opens for cultural events. So if you would like to include the church in your plans, look out for relevant cultural events. The distance of about 1.5 kilometres also helps you place it in relation to the town centre. This is a distance, not a journey time.

Piazza Roma preserves an urban layout dating to the 17th century. This adds the design of a square as a historical theme alongside the church’s sacred art. Another point of reference in time is Abbazia della SS. Trinità, founded in the 12th century. Together, these places reveal different aspects of history: the church’s first mention in a list of possessions, 15th-century frescoes, a 17th-century layout and the abbey’s foundation in the 12th century. These dates refer to different aspects and can be considered as separate historical points of reference.

Salami, Ciccioli and event dates

Le Notti del Salame features tastings of salami and other pork products. It is held on the third weekend in May. Il Cicciolo d’Oro is associated with the second Sunday in December; at this event, Norcini compete for the best Ciccioli. The two culinary events thus fall at quite different times of the year: one in May, the other in December. If you would like to plan your trip around one of the festivals, please check the dates for your chosen year.

The events have different focuses: tastings take centre stage at Le Notti del Salame, while Il Cicciolo d’Oro centres on the Norcini competition. This comparison can help you choose a suitable time to travel without treating the two occasions as the same. Together with the historic sites and varied landscapes, these events give you several specific themes to consider when planning your trip to Campagnola Emilia.

Discover more destinations: Castellazzo, Regnano, San Polo D'enza, San Donnino Di Liguria, Canossa, Viano, Luzzara, Cerreto Laghi

For the regional travel overview: Reggio Emilia.