The Duchy of Reggio was an Italian state that existed from the Middle Ages through to the Napoleonic era. Its history is closely intertwined with that of the Duchy of Modena and Reggio, which was a larger entity encompassing both Reggio Emilia and Modena.
The Duchy of Reggio originated from the medieval territories that were part of the Holy Roman Empire. Reggio Emilia, the capital of the duchy, was a significant city in the Po Valley. Initially, the city and its surrounding territories were ruled by various feudal lords and bishops until they came under the control of the House of Este in the late 13th century.
Reggio Emilia was known for its agricultural richness, particularly in the production of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, which became a cornerstone of its economy. Culturally, Reggio Emilia contributed to the Italian Renaissance, with several notable artists and scholars hailing from the region.
The Duchy of Reggio ceased to exist as a separate entity when, in 1859, following the Second Italian War of Independence, it was annexed to the Kingdom of Sardinia, which soon after became part of the unified Kingdom of Italy.