Torre della Ghirlandina

Infobox World Heritage Site
WHS = Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena


State Party = ITA
Type = Cultural
Criteria = i, ii, iii, iv
ID = 827
Region = Europe and North America
Year = 1997
Session = 21st
Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/827The Torre della Ghirlandinais 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 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. And unique is the panorama enjoyable from the top.

Restoration

Currently the tower is undergoing restoration: it started in December 2007 and should be finished by the end of 2010. During the work, the scaffolding will be hidden behind an artistic screen painted by the Italian scupltor Mimmo Paladino. This choice has caused perplexity in the town, given the high cost of the operation and the very idea of it.

Source

This article was originally a translation of [http://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ghirlandina&oldid=6907239 this version] of from the Italian-language Wikipedia and the Emilian e Rumagnòl-language Wikipedia .