Montalto Matildico Park
A sprawling 400,000-square-meter park preserving rural Emilian culture through a working landscape of farm animals, natural lakes, and a museum dedicated to traditional countryside life.
At a glance
Montalto Matildico Park combines nature reserve, open-air museum, and working farm across the rolling hills south of Reggio Emilia. The site integrates conservation of rural heritage with active demonstration of historical agricultural practices and animal husbandry.
History
The park preserves the memory of traditional Emilian rural culture at a moment when such landscapes and practices were fading from the region. Its museum documents the material and social life of farming communities that shaped the Emilian countryside for centuries.
What you see
Natural lakes dot the terrain, creating habitats and recreational spaces. Fifteen species of farm and grazing animals—maintained in conditions reflecting historical practices—occupy pastures and enclosures throughout the grounds. The rural culture museum displays tools, domestic objects, and agricultural equipment that illustrate everyday life and work in the traditional Emilian countryside.
Cultural significance
The park serves as a living archive of Emilian agrarian identity. By maintaining both animal breeds and material culture in their landscape context, it demonstrates how rural heritage extends beyond museum objects to encompass ecosystems, working practices, and the human communities that sustained them.
Key facts
- Address: Via Francesco Lolli, 45, 42030 Montalto, Vezzano sul Crostolo
- Coordinates: 44.5521612, 10.5654075
- Phone: 0522 858432
- Website: parcomatildico.com
- Size: 400,000 square meters
- Features: Museum of rural culture; natural lakes; 15 species of farm and grazing animals
Practical information
The park offers refreshments and accommodation facilities on-site. Opening hours and admission details are available through the official website or by contacting the park directly.
Getting there
Montalto Matildico Park is located in Vezzano sul Crostolo, in the hills south of Reggio Emilia in the Emilia-Romagna region. For directions and transport options, consult the official website or contact the park.
Sources & resources
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