Location Italy Criteria i, ii, iii, iv Inscription 1997 (21st Session) Architectural style Gothic architecture | Type Cultural Reference 827 Height 86 m Province Province of Modena | |
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UNESCO region Europe and North America Address Piazza della Torre, 41121 Modena MO, Italy Hours Closed today MondayClosedTuesday9:30AM–1PM, 3–7PMWednesday9:30AM–1PM, 3–7PMThursday9:30AM–1PM, 3–7PMFriday9:30AM–1PM, 3–7PMSaturday9:30AM–7PMSunday9:30AM–7PMSuggest an edit Similar Modena Cathedral, Piazza Grande, Casa Museo Luciano, Museo della figurina, Galleria Estense | ||
Duomo di modena con piazza grande e torre della ghirlandina
The Torre della Ghirlandina or simply Ghirlandina is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Modena, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
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Standing at 86.12 metres, the tower is the traditional symbol of Modena, being visible from all directions outside the city.
The structure was set up in 1179 on five floors, initially called Torre di San Geminiano. To compete with Bologna's towers, the commune added the characteristic octagonal cusp, designed by Arrigo da Campione, one of the numerous masters from Campione who took part in the cathedral's renovation in the 13th-15th centuries. The top of the tower is decorated with two ghirlande (two marble railings), whence the name.
In the interior, the Sala della Secchia room (with 15th-century frescoes) is home of a copy of the depiction of the Secchia rapita, a memory of the tower's former role as treasury of the Modenese commune. Also notable are the sculpted capitals in the Sala dei Torresani hall, in the fifth floor. The five bells are tuned in C major, cast during renaissance period.
Restoration
The tower underwent a restoration started in December 2007. At the beginning it was said it would be finished by the year 2010, but restoration work lasted till September 2011. During the work, the scaffolding was hidden behind an artistic screen painted by the Italian sculptor Mimmo Paladino. This choice has caused perplexity in the town, given the high cost of the operation and the very idea of it.