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Santuary of the Beata Vergine della Portain in Guastalla

Of considerable interest for the Baroque architecture of the interior, the seventeenth-century Santuario della Beata Vergine della Porta (Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Gate) houses in the ciborium the miraculous image of the Virgin, a work by Damiano Padovani (1646) once situated at the southern gate of the town, attesting to a miracle whose memory is still alive among the local populace.
The majestic altar is composed of twisted columns with a triumph of angels by Antonio Ferraboschi. The large collection of votive offerings displayed in the museum adjacent to the church testifies to the miracles performed.

The Santuario della Beata Vergine della Porta (Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Gate), a rare example of Emilian Baroque style, takes its name from the presence of the ancient gate of St. Francis in this place. Reggio Emilia architect Prospero Mattioli began designing the church in 1693 on commission by Duke Vincenzo Gonzaga. In that year, the image of the Madonna painted in 1646 by Damiano Padovani, began to manifest wonders and miracles which led the Duke to mark the start of his reign with a work worthy of the architectural tradition of the city. The works continued until 1703, and only after six years was the Sanctuary was consecrated, with completion extending for almost the entire 18th century. The main altar with ciborium dates to 1702 and is the work of Antonio Ferraboschi and Michele Costa.

In 1703, the Parma artist Pietro Oliva created the marble balustrade. The altar of San Francesco Da Paola, erected in 1741 (right arm of the transept) is the work of Pietro Franzini. The statues of the twelve prophets by Giovanni Marini da Viadana date to 1786. Of particular interest inside are the seventeenth-century altar-frontals in polychromatic scagliola, the eighteenth-century Pietà in painted papier-mâché, and the fresco of the Blessed Virgin by Damiano Padovani of 1646 situated in the ciborium of the main altar.

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