Reggio Emilia

Palace of Rivalta (Reggia di Rivalta)

Edited by

Daniele Pascale

Villas and Gardens

Other denominations

Villa Ducale di Rivalta e pertinenze/Reggia di Rivalta/Villa Estense di Rivalta/Palazzone di Rivalta

Founders

Borso d'Este, Carlotta Aglae di Borbone-Orléans, Francesco III

Artists / Humanists

Francesco Bolognini, Giacinto Venturi, Gian Maria Ferraroni, Giovan Battista Bolognini, Lodovico Bolognini

Description

The Este palace of Rivalta, often referred to as the Versailles of Reggio, still shows signs of its past grandeur despite destruction and decay. Its construction was initiated by the crown prince Francesco d’Este (future Francesco III) and his wife Carlotta Aglae d’Orleans. Having been banished from Modena by Duke Rinaldo I, they moved to Reggio, and, in search of a suitable holiday residence, they chose the two pre-existing villas of Rivalta and Rivaltella.

A tower was constructed at Rivalta in the early 15th century by the Canossa family, around which, in the late 16th century, a villa was built by the Alpi family. The villa then passed to Prince Borso d’Este, who had it enlarged and redecorated.

The 18th-century palace erected by Francesco d’Este from 1724 onwards was an extension of Borso’s villa: it consisted of three buildings arranged in a U-shape around a courtyard. Today, all that remains is the southern wing, once occupied by the prince’s retinue. Even of the sumptuous garden, only the layout and a few crumbling vestiges – the belvedere, the grottoes and the secret garden – now remain.

Useful information

Address

via dei Combattenti, 1

Municipality

REGGIO NELL`EMILIA

Hamlet

Rivalta

Province

Reggio Emilia

Visitability of the place

Can only be visited during events/manifestations

Themes

Delizia

Website

https://turismo.comune.re.it/it/reggio-emilia/scopri-il-territorio/arte-e-cultura/ville-dimore-teatri-storici/reggia-di-rivalta

Tourer

https://www.tourer.it/mappa?id=2002

Included in the itineraries