Basilica della Ghiara

The church was built in response to an alleged miracle, occurring in 1596, associated with a local votive image of the Madonna which had been painted by Lelio Orsi.

The cornerstone was laid on June 6, 1597 by the bishop Claudio Rangone, in the presence of Duke Alfonso II d'Este and Duchess Margherita Gonzaga.

The interior is in Late Renaissance style, with rich decorations in gold, marbles, as well as large frescoes of the Carracci school covering the domes and the vaults.

The arm of the church constituting the entry has ceiling frescoes (1645-1646) depicting Gentleness (Mansuetudine), Faith, Adam and Eve evicted from Paradise, Abraham served by Angels, Rebecca and Eleazar by Luca Ferrari.

The nave to the right of the center has a ceilings (1615-1616) frescoed with Abigail feeds David, Judith and Holofernes, Ester and Assuerus by Lionello Spada.

In the presbytery walls are paintings depicting a Resurrection of Laura di Correggio by Pietro Desani and a Miracle of Paolo Melli (1633) by Sebastiano Vercellessi.

In the left nave the ceiling frescoes depict (1647-1648) Rachel at the Well, Gisele and Sisara and the Drowning of the Pharoah's army, Purity and Virginity, all by Luca Ferrari.

On the city altar, erected by the Commune and designed by Giovanni Battista Magnani is a canvas (1624-1625) depicting Christ on cross consoled by Angels by Guercino.