"Coccapani Chapel" of the Archbishop Palace

How to get there

Reggio nell'Emilia - Town centre

The entrance of the Bishop's Palace is in Via Vittorio Veneto, next to the Baptistery.

Historical notes

Located between the first and the second floor of the Bishop's Palace, the "Coccapani Chapel" was born in the XVI century as a refreshment place. Under the goverment of Paolo Coccapani Bishop (1625 - 1649), which has given his name to the chapel, the ceiling vault was decorated in the characteristic baroque style (really different from the mannerist decoration of the wall). Until the end of the XVII century this chapel had a profane use as a pacefull place. But, it was soon converted in a holy place, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. Because of the new project of the fine grand staircase, by the engineer Ferdinando Albertini, from 1878 and 1880, all the passages between the Chapel and the Bishop's Palace were destroyed and the Chapel was abandoned.

The recent restoration (2007 - 2013) has focused on an accurate structural consolidation and on a specialised restoration of the paintings and the ancient decorations. In the main hall you can admire two terracotta sculptures, depicting Spring and Autumn.