Discover Casalgrande

Casalgrande lies at the foot of the hilly landscape on the left bank of the Secchia River. The town has several distinct sides, including a historic area, a rural farmstead with a fortified residence, marked trails and green spaces, as well as cultural and food events. If you are looking for a hotel in Casalgrande, your reason for travelling can guide your choice of what to explore: would you like to focus on local history, nature or a particular type of event? The following facets can be considered individually and can help you choose your destination.

Townscape and Green Spaces

The Vecchio borgo di Boglioni is the historic part of Casalgrande, around which the newer town centre developed. This relationship is helpful for understanding the town’s history: the older area provides a point of reference for the newer centre. This makes it possible to distinguish the two parts without treating them as two names for the same place.

Parco La Riserva combines a marked network of small trails with rich and varied vegetation. The trail network is almost four kilometres long in total. This figure refers to the network as a whole and helps convey the extent of this green space. Parco Secchia in Villalunga offers a different focus: it is a large green space for walks, events and outdoor activities. The green spaces described therefore differ in their stated features: trails and vegetation are the focus at La Riserva, while Parco Secchia is also mentioned as a venue for events.

Another, different kind of attraction is Big Bench No. 203: a panoramic giant bench in the Big Bench Community Project. Its number and its association with the project are part of its designation and help identify it as a distinct point of interest among Casalgrande’s attractions.

Architectural History and Culture

The surviving Castello di Casalgrande Alto is a 15th-century rural farmstead arranged around a fortified residence. Its character as a farmstead and its fortified centre are connected: the complex combines a rural farmstead with a defensive residence. The Castello is also associated with a dramatic chapter in history. In 1557, its defenders resisted Spanish attacks for several days. It was only after a serious accident deprived them of effective means of defence that they surrendered. The castle was then destroyed and set on fire.

The Teatro De André building houses the municipal library and an exhibition hall. Both facilities are therefore located in the same named building, but serve different cultural purposes: reading and exhibitions. Together with the history of the Castello, they give Casalgrande another cultural point of reference alongside its green spaces and events.

Events and Local Character

The Sagra di Sant'Antonio con cicciolata is a recurring food event featuring a special food market. It includes stalls selling Ciccioli. The Casalgrande Jazz Festival adds a musical dimension: it takes place in the first half of July and features jazz concerts with leading national and international musicians. The two events offer different reasons to visit: the market and Ciccioli at the Sagra, and jazz concerts at the festival. If either is important for your travel dates, check the current dates and programme before planning your trip.

Casalgrande’s role in the ceramic district is also part of its identity: today, together with Castellarano, Sassuolo and Fiorano Modenese, it is one of the district’s most important centres. Thus, the destination’s profile includes not only local history and green spaces, but also its industrial and cultural character. Depending on whether you are particularly interested in architectural history, nature, events or the ceramic district, you can include different aspects of Casalgrande in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Villarotta, Borzano, Succiso Nuovo, Carpineti, Montecatini, Montecchio Emilia, Luzzara, Rolo

For the main travel overview: Reggio Emilia.