It was built in the first half of the 16th century outside the fortress’ walls, on the site of a small chapel previously owned by the Confraternity of St Joseph. The current façade was designed in 1776 by the architect Francesco Iori, from Reggio Emilia. The bell tower, with its rectangular plan, dates back to a few years earlier (1759) and it is attributed to A. Bazani, also from Reggio Emilia.The interior has a single nave with the chapel of the main altar aligned with the façade. Above the high altar, the exquisite painting depicting the marriage of St. Joseph and Mary dates back to 1759 and it is attributed to F. Miselli. Two valuable carvings can also be admired in the Chapel of the Crucifix: a wooden tabernacle attributed to F.D. Ceccati (1641-1714) and the decoration of the organ by the sculptor Giacomo Cocconcelli (1704). The latter is considered one of the most remarkable examples of Baroque carving in the province of Reggio Emilia. Following major renovation works between 2014 and 2019, which concerned both the façade and the interior, the church has been completely restored, and now it can be visited as a “precious gem” of the historic centre. 

How to get to Scandiano

By car: From the A1 motorway - Milan, exit at Reggio Emilia. Follow the road signs for “Reggio Emilia Centro”, “Sassuolo”, and “Scandiano”.

From the A1 motorway - Bologna, exit at the Modena-Nord, take the Via Emilia towards Milan, and follow the road signs for “Reggio Emilia”, “Rubiera”, and “Scandiano”.

By train: From both the north and south, get off at Reggio Emilia station, then take the local train on the Reggio Emilia-Sassuolo line, or you can take the bus (for information: www.actre.it).

By plane: From Bologna Airport (www.bologna-airport.it), take the train to Reggio Emilia, and from there, take the local train to Scandiano or the A1 motorway. From Milan Airport (www.sea-aeroportimilano.it), take the train to Reggio Emilia, or the A1 motorway.

Scandiano is only a few kilometers from many cities in northern and central Italy: 60km from Bologna, 35 from Parma, 20 from Modena, 13 from Reggio Emilia, 180 from the Adriatic Riviera, 160 from Milan, 90 from Ferrara, 155 from Florence, 75 from Mantua, 100 from Piacenza, 95 from Verona.