former Convent of Santa Maria

This was founded in 1490 by Gerolamo Redini of the Congregazione degli Eremiti di Santa Maria in Gonzaga.

In May 1494, Marchese Francesco II, the patron of the project, invited the bishop of Reggio to grant indulgences and privileges to the ‘chapel de Sancta Maria dali Miraculi’ and to acknowledge the Rule that the hermits, led by Redini, had promised to observe.

Since then, the monumental complex of the former convent of Santa Maria has experienced periods of growth and decline, additions, alterations and unfortunately some demolition.