Naturambiente
The spring eco-festival in the historic center of Guastalla
About Naturambiente
A green weekend in the heart of Guastalla
Naturambiente has been the spring eco-festival of Guastalla for over thirty years. This town in the Bassa Reggiana region, on the banks of the Po River, in the province of Reggio Emilia (Emilia-Romagna), was conceived by the late Walter Bonazzi and is now organized by the Guastalla Ambiente Association. The event transforms the streets and squares of the historic center into a large open-air market where environmental culture meets craftsmanship, collecting, and local gastronomy.
Nature, Sustainability, and Po River Protection
The guiding principle of the festival is respect for the environment and for the great river that flows by the city. Each edition features conferences on biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, and ecological themes, plogging races (running that combines sport and waste collection), initiatives to clean the riverbanks, and projects for the protection of the Po River. In recent years, the proceeds from some charity contests have been allocated to the care of river areas, such as the famous "Pennello del Po".
Market, Crafts, and Traditions
Throughout the weekend, the streets of the center are filled with stalls offering floriculture, plants and flowers, artistic crafts, handmade items, vintage and collectibles. There are also cultural tours, exhibitions set up in historic churches and palaces, concerts, and performances. The heart of Reggiana's gastronomic tradition lies in the competitions dedicated to casalino salami and bisulàn, judged by the historic local Confraternities, and the tribute to cappelletto reggiano, a symbolic dish of the local cuisine.
For Families and Children
Naturambiente is a festival designed for all ages. Children can enjoy free creative workshops, puppet shows, handmade wooden games (Woodgames), painting and watercolor courses, as well as charming dog parades in Piazza Mazzini. It's a spring day to be enjoyed outdoors, amidst the Ducal Palace, the Church of San Francesco, and the squares of the city center.
Why it's Worth It
- Completely free entry throughout the historic center.
- An open-air market with floriculture, crafts, and vintage items.
- Conferences, exhibitions, and initiatives dedicated to ecology and the protection of the Po River.
- Reggiana gastronomic specialties: casalino salami, bisulàn, and cappelletto.
- Workshops and entertainment for children throughout the weekend.
Naturambiente — edition 2026
Saturday, May 16th
Preview at 5:00 PM in the Sala dell'Antico Portico of the Ducal Palace with the presentation of the book I Cappelletti Reggiani, curated by Dr. Giuliano Bagnoli, with the intervention of Professor Danilo Morini and readings by Fiorello Tagliavini.
Sunday, May 17th
Main day with the institutional inauguration at 10:00 AM and the conference Wonder between the Charm of Nature and Neuroscience by Dr. Gianfranco Marchesi. During the day: the arrival of Capitan Bretella for the children, plogging races in Via Spallanzani, conferences on waste and separate collection, karate demonstrations, the dog parade in Piazza Mazzini, and the award ceremony for the casalino salami and bisulàn competitions in front of the Ducal Palace.
Programme Naturambiente 2026
Saturday, May 16th
- 5:00 PM — Ducal Palace, Sala dell'Antico Portico: presentation of the book I Cappelletti Reggiani curated by Dr. Giuliano Bagnoli, with Prof. Danilo Morini and readings by Fiorello Tagliavini.
Sunday, May 17th
- 10:00 AM — Official inauguration with authorities.
- 10:00 AM — Conference Wonder between the Charm of Nature and Neuroscience by Dr. Gianfranco Marchesi.
- 11:00 AM — Arrival of Capitan Bretella to the delight of children.
- 11:00 AM and 4:00 PM — Via Spallanzani: plogging races for children.
- 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM — In front of the Ducal Palace: collection of salamis and bisulàn for the competitions.
- 3:00 PM — Cultural corner: conference The Collection That Makes the Difference with Matteo Marmiroli of the Plogging Group.
- 4:00 PM — Church of San Francesco: exhibition Not Just Toys... with radio-controlled boat navigations and the Battle of the Galleons.
- 6:00 PM — Piazza Mazzini: dogs parade with their owners.
- 7:00 PM — In front of the Ducal Palace: award ceremony for the best casalino salami and best bisulàn.
Throughout the weekend, in the streets of the historic center: vintage and collectibles market (Largo dei Mille), floriculture, artistic crafts, handmade items, wooden games (Woodgames), photographic exhibition The Arda River by Valerio Viani, puppets by Dimmo Menozzi, exhibition of hybrid and electric cars by Gruppo Zatti, watercolor course with Sara Giuberti (by reservation), and creative workshops for children.
Highlights Naturambiente 2026
Prices Naturambiente 2026
Practical information — Naturambiente
Getting Here
Guastalla is located in the Bassa Reggiana area, on the right bank of the Po River. By car, it can be reached from the A22 Brennero motorway (Pegognaga-Reggiolo exit) or the A1 motorway (Reggio Emilia exit), continuing north. By train, Guastalla station is served by the Parma-Suzzara line.
Admission
Access to the event is free. Some specific workshops (e.g., the watercolor course) may require booking and a participation fee.
When
The festival takes place in spring, on a weekend between April and May, animating the historic center from morning to evening.
Contacts
For information, you can contact the Guastalla Ambiente Association at +39 335 6317025.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Naturambiente
Centro storico di Guastalla