San Prospero, Reggio Emilia

A church known as San Prospero di Castello, located inside the city walls, is known prior to 997.

The facade of the church had been left incomplete till it was completed in 1748-1753 using designs of Giovanni Battista Cattani.

Ultimately, in 1640, the painting was absconded from the chapel by the Duke Francesco I d'Este for his private collection, a sacrilege which generated a local uproar.

[1] In the right transept, on the west wall, is a canvas depicting the Madonna and St Matthew, a copy also by Jean Boulanger of the original by Annibale Carracci, which was also sold to the Dresden Gemaldegalerie.

The ceiling fresco depicts a Glory of Saints Prosper and Venerius (1597-1598) by Camillo Procaccini.

The fifth altar on the left has a canvas depicting the Madonna and Child with St Apollonia attributed to Denis Calvaert.

In addition th3 Funeral Monument of Ruffino Gabbioneta (1527), the governor of the city under Leo X, was sculpted by Bartolomeo Spani.