The Italian city that birthed a national flag and a Polish anthem

Countries & Cities · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Reggio Emilia is a city of layered history, from its Roman origins as a military station to its role as the birthplace of the Italian tricolour. Beyond its political significance, this ancient commune has served as a sanctuary for scholars and a stage for centuries of European cultural evolution.

Founded by Marcus Aemilius Lepidus in 187 BC, Reggio Emilia began as a strategic Roman military post along the Via Aemilia. By the 11th century, it had evolved into a free commune, eventually becoming a member of the Lombard League. Its history is marked by intense internal rivalries, such as the 13th-century struggle between the Scopazzati and Mazzaperlini parties, and a complex succession of rulers, including the House of Este and the Visconti family, who often vied for control over the city's autonomy and wealth.

The city's cultural footprint is vast. It was here in 1797 that the Italian national flag, Il Tricolore, was first sewn. During this same period of patriotic fervor, Jozef Wybicki, a lieutenant in Polish troops allied with Napoleon, composed the Mazurek Dąbrowskiego, which later became the Polish national anthem. The city also fostered a long-standing Jewish community, which flourished from the 15th century until the Holocaust, leaving behind a legacy of rabbinic scholarship and historic sites like the 1858 synagogue.

Today, Reggio Emilia remains a vibrant center with a population of 172,921. Its architecture reflects its long timeline, featuring buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries, including the Basilica della Ghiara and the Cathedral, which dates back to the 9th century. Recognized as a European Capital of Inclusion and Diversity in 2023, the city continues to balance its deep historical roots with a modern, diverse demographic, where immigrants now make up over 20% of the population.

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