San Prospero Basilica Tower

Address and contacts

Piazza San Prospero
Via della Torre - 42121 Reggio nell'Emilia
0039 0522 1757930 - Diocesan office for the Cultural Heritage
GiraReggio

Opening times

The bell tower isn't visitable inside.

How to get there

Reggio nell'Emilia - Town centre

The tower is in the town centre, on the right of the St. Prospero Church.

Historical notes

The construction of the tower began in 1535, under direction of the Reggio architects Leonardo, Alberto and Roberto Pacchioni, on a design previously prepared by the sculptor Cristoforo Ricci (known as Rossino dei Lasagni). In 1538 the project was taken on by architect Giulio Romano who was working in nearby Mantova. The tower has an octagonal design; borders and decorations were anticipated in the original design in various architectural styles: Doric, Ionic, Corinthian and Composite. The latter style was never accomplished. Ricci began the sculptures on first floor in Doric style; after his death they were continued by sculptor Prospero Sogari who in 1555 completed the third tier in Corinthian style. Work was resumed between 1563 and 1570 by Alberto Pacchioni who nevertheless left the project incomplete.