Bell Tower of Basilica di San Quirino

The ancient bastion of Correggio

The Bell Tower of the Basilica of San Quirino represents the sole surviving bastion of the ancient Castle of Correggio. Erected in the 14th century, it stands as a witness to centuries of history and urban transformations.

The tower preserves its sloped base (scarp wall) and a large 14th-century pointed archway that once served as the gateway to the castle. In the 15th century, the structure was heightened and merloned, before later being transformed into a bell tower upon the construction of the adjacent basilica. The ground floor, originally intended as a small chapel, temporarily housed the relics of Saint Quirinus and other saints while awaiting the completion of the church.

A recent restoration revealed its exposed brickwork with sandstone quoins, alongside traces of corbels and ancient battlements in the attic space, offering a clear reading of the monument's architectural history. The tower, today owned by the municipality, once housed the ancient clock, while the use of its bells was long the subject of a dispute between the Town Community and the Church Chapter until 1960.

Housed in the belfry is the campanone, the principal bronze bell cast in 1709 by the artisan Pietro Bosi of Parma, commissioned by the Community through public contribution. Decorated with historic reliefs, this bell continues to mark the passage of time, preserving the connection between the city and its historical roots.