Top of the World
Walking along the porticoed path of the Broletto, dating back to 1488 and characterized by shops of various kinds, old and new, where we recommend you to enter, you enter the beautiful Piazza San Prospero, also known as "Piasa cica", or "Piazza Piccola". Your eyes will immediately be enraptured by the 18th century façade of the Basilica di San Prospero, dedicated to Bishop Prospero, who later became the patron saint of the city and characterized by the soaring bell tower. Before entering to admire the "Giudizio Universale" by the Bolognese artist Camillo Procaccini and the precious inlaid wooden choir, a real masterpiece, take a picture of the six large fountain lions of the early sixteenth century attributed to Gaspare Bisi, which all together magnificently decorate the churchyard. The interior of the Basilica has three naves in the shape of a Latin cross with a dome. In the apsidal basin you can admire the extraordinary cycle of frescoes by Camillo Procaccini (Bolognese artist) depicting the "Giudizio Universale". The Cremonese Bernardino Campi and the Parma-born Giovan Battista Tinti also succeeded one another. The precious wooden choir (by De Venetiis in 1546) inlaid with country landscapes, still lifes and urban perspectives constitutes, for its refined technique, a masterpiece of the art of carving and marquetry that has been affirmed in Reggio Emilia since the middle of the 15th century.
In the 5th chapel on the right is a copy of the Boulanger de "La Notte" a famous masterpiece by Correggio, requisitioned by the Duke of Modena, sold and now on display in Dresden.
