Museo del Tesoro della Basilica Beata Vergine della Ghiara

Founded in 1982 by the Fabbriceria del Tempio e dei Musei Civici, the museum houses liturgical objects and votive offerings presented by the faithful to the Madonna della Ghiara as a sign of devotion.

The exhibition is spread across three galleries and an educational room, which houses the precious sinopia of the fresco of the Madonna della Ghiara, painted in 1573 by Giovanni Bianchi, known as Il Bertone, based on a design by Lelio Orsi.
In the first room, the famous ducal candlesticks stand out; these were crafted in Rome by the goldsmiths Gianfrancesco Frangi and Marco Marchi between 1631 and 1634, and donated by the Duke of Modena, Francesco I d’Este, to adorn the altar of the Madonna on feast days.
The second room houses vases and other liturgical furnishings, whilst the third room contains the precious crown from 1674, a splendid work of goldsmithing donated by the Community of Reggio to the Madonna as a token of gratitude for having preserved the city from the plague.
Here, one can also admire the sanctuary’s most exquisite liturgical vestments.

The tour concludes in the Treasury Room, where reliquaries, votive offerings and sacred vessels are on display, telling the story of the devotion and faith of the people of Reggio Emilia through the centuries.

Find out more about:
Museo del Santuario della Beata Vergine della Ghiara