Basilica of San Prospero (Basilica di San Prospero)

The basilica of San Prospero, the true civic church of Reggio and repository of the patron saint’s relics, dominates the ‘little square’, just as the cathedral stands on the ‘big square’. Of ancient origins (it was founded in 997), it was completely rebuilt in the first half of the 16th century in a simple Renaissance style at the initiative of the Reggio community. A worthy addition to the new basilica was the original octagonal bell tower, possibly designed by Giulio Romano. The beautiful façade is instead the result of 18th-century interventions.

Although the interior has been repeatedly stripped of its best works by the Este family (a famous case being that of Correggio’s Nativity), it still retains a considerable collection of works, notably Camillo Porcaccini’s magnificent Last Judgement, frescoed on the apse basin.