Identity: five districts, the Liberty city, the Consolazione
Five circoscrizioni: Centre, East, North, South and Centre-South. A Magna Graecia colony, today's city is the one rebuilt in Liberty style after 1908. In September the painting of the Madonna della Consolazione is brought down from the Eremo to the Cathedral, where it stays until 26 November.
Sections: Geography · History · Population · Languages · Time zone · Public holidays
- Circoscrizione I – Reggio Centro: historic centre, Pineta Zerbi, Tremulini, Eremo, Santa Caterina and other areas.
- Circoscrizione II – Reggio Est: Trabocchetto, Condera, Spirito Santo, Ortì, Podargoni, Terreti and other areas.
- Circoscrizione III – Reggio Nord: Catona, Salice, Rosalì, Villa San Giuseppe, Gallico, Sambatello and other areas.
- Circoscrizione IV – Reggio Sud: Ravagnese, Gallina, Pellaro.
- Circoscrizione V – Reggio Centro-Sud: Ferrovieri, Stadio, Gebbione, Sbarre, San Giorgio, Modena and other areas.
Decentralisation and history
The circoscrizioni are decentralised bodies to which the Comune delegates some administrative functions. The city claims its Greek origins — the national tourism portal calls it the oldest Magna Graecia colony in southern Italy — but its face is that of the post-1908 reconstruction, in Liberty style.
The Madonna della Consolazione
The patron is the Madonna della Consolazione, "advocate of the people of Reggio". In September the painting of the Virgin is carried in procession from the Capuchin Eremo to the Cathedral, a tradition said to go back five centuries; halfway, in Piazza della Consegna, the friars hand it over to the diocese. On the solemn day the city administration offers the votive candle, a custom dating from a notarial deed of 30 April 1638, and in the evening a procession crosses the centre. The painting stays in the Cathedral until 26 November, when it returns to the Eremo. According to Avvenire, about 120,000 people took part in the opening procession in 2023.
Data
Sources
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Updated: 2026-10-14
Reviewed: 10/22/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-10-13
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