Correggio Art Home

The Casa del Correggio is one of the most symbolic places in Correggio: it stands on the site of the former residence of Antonio Allegri (1489–1534), one of the greatest painters of the Italian Renaissance. Today, this historic building houses the Correggio Art Home, a modern center for documentation and studies dedicated to the artist's life and works.

The Birthplace of Antonio Allegri

Historical sources confirm that the Allegri family already owned a house in the Borgovecchio district, along the western side of the city, during the 15th century. It was likely a simple dwelling with a workshop on the ground floor and living spaces on the first floor, typical of houses overlooking the ancient city walls.

In 1752, the building, which by then was in a precarious condition, was purchased by the Ducal Factor Francesco Contarelli, who ordered its demolition and reconstruction between 1754 and 1755. This is the building we still see today, known ever since as the Casa del Correggio.

From Oblivion to Rediscovery

Over the centuries, the house changed ownership and use multiple times, even being repurposed as a stable and a carriage house. However, its historical value was progressively rediscovered: in 1811, a first commemorative inscription was placed on the facade, followed by a stucco medallion featuring the painter's face and additional plaques marking 19th-century restorations.

Between the 19th and 20th centuries, the building hosted a kindergarten, public offices, and cultural associations, gradually becoming a cornerstone for the city's historical memory.