Torre della Ghirlandina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena**¹
**UNESCO World Heritage Site**

State Party	Italy
Type	Cultural
Criteria	i, ii, iii, iv
Identification	#827
Region²	Europe and North America
Inscription History
Formal Inscription:	1997 21st WH Committee Session
WH link:	http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/827
1 Name as officially inscribed on the WH List 2 As classified officially by UNESCO

The Torre della Ghirlandina or Torre Civica is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Modena, in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

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 of a copy of the Secchia rapita depiction, 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. And unique is the panorama enjoyable from the top.