Comune di Casalgrande MUNICIPALITY OF CASALGRANDE
The Municipality of Casalgrande (approx. 19320 inhabs.) is an important medium- size centre of the ceramic district, located in the foothill area of the Appenines along the Secchia river.
TERRITORYTERRITORY This is the territory where vineyards, naturalistic areas, “acetaie” (vinegar cellars), noble manors and ancient castles were skillfully combined and important pages of history were written, from Mathilda of Canossa to the Estensi Dukes. Being situated in the ceramic district, Casalgrande presents proudly its industrial tradition, linked to the production of tiles and other ceramic products, which is particularly interesting not only because it represents one of its excellences, but also because it drives business tourism, bound especially to some specialized events hosted every year.
MAIN CULTURAL AND TOURISM ATTRACTIONS The Castle of Casalgrande Alto; The Oratory of Saint Sabastian; The “Acetaia” “The Balsamic Vinegar Brotherhood”; The “Fabrizio De Andrè” Theatre; The “Incontro” gallery; The “Sognalibro” Public library; “Villa Spalletti” – noble manor; The castle of Dinazzano; Villa Spalletti XVII secolo Some noble residences; The Secchia park / Residence; The “La Riserva” Reserve; The Chees factories; The castle of Salvaterra; Traditional fruit and plants varieties; Cultural and recreational activities; Casalgrande Ceramic Cloud and Ceramic Crown.
Casalgrande Padana; Ceramic Crown
THE CASTLE OF CASALGRANDE ALTO The Castle of Casalgrande alto, one of the hamlets of the Municipality, was already mentioned in documents dated 1335 A.d., it looks over the surrounding plain, and from its watchtower even the Alps can be seen in the brightest days.
THE CASTLE OF DINAZZANO The Castle of Dinazzano is located on the top of a hill from which it offers a wonderful view of the entire plain of Modena and Reggio Emilia. It was a key element for the control of the Secchia river that flows thereunder. In 1184 the Lords of Montemagno ceded one third of the castle to Reggio Emilia commune, so that this latter could fortify the Secchia border. The remaining two third were respectively of the da Sassuolo and da Magreta families. In 1318 the Reggio Emilia Commune bought the whole castle.
THE CASALGRANDE CULTURAL CENTRE Born in 2006, this centre has quickly become the “cultural” heart of the territory, as the happenings at the Fabrizio De Andrè Theater, the Sognalibro Library and the Incontro Gallery have always been very successful. Every theatre season offers more than 100 performances: classical music, opera, prose, concerts, dance, plays for kids and teen, comedies in dialect. The library organizes many “meet the author”, literature festivals, story telling with music and artistic performances in general. VILLAVILLA SPALLETTISPALLETTI Villa Spalletti, the so called “Palace”, is located in a flat area in S. Donnino di Liguria hamlet (11, Franceschini st.). Despite the fact it is privately owned, it is made available to promote the artistic heritage of the territory. Every year the Municipality of Casalgrande, infact, arranges some successful international festivals of dance, classical and jazz music in it. The Villa is surrounded by a huge park with trees, huts,ponds, greenhouses, stablesand an oratory dedicated to “Mater Pietatis”.
CASALGRANDE CERAMIC CLOUD AND CASALGRANDE CERAMIC CROWN In the latest years, thank to the active commitment of Casalgrande Padana to valorise the tile district landscape and the territory as a whole, the Municipality of Casalgrande has been embellished with great pieces of international art. Ceramic Cloud and Ceramic Crown stand near to the Casalgrande Padana plant, on the Pedemontana belt that connects Casalgrande with Sassuolo, each one in the centre of a big round- about. Thank to their location they represent a monumental Eastern gateway to the district.