It was originally the entrance gate to the ancient town, built by Count Feltrino Boiardo in the first half of the 15th century. In 1548, the clock had already been installed on the tower, and it was visible from the nearby market square. The bell that marks the hours was blessed in 1543 by Pope Paul III.
The clock face overlooking Via Magati, with a single hand and a sun-shaped pin, is particularly noteworthy. In a niche below the clock face, there was a depiction of Saint Catherine of Alexandria, patron saint of Scandiano. The fresco is now located in the Town Hall.
Today, the tower houses a traditional “acetaia” (place where balsamic vinegar is produced), run by the Confraternita dell'Aceto Balsamico (Balsamic Vinegar Brotherhood).

How to get to Scandiano

By car: From the A1 motorway - Milan, exit at Reggio Emilia. Follow the road signs for “Reggio Emilia Centro”, “Sassuolo”, and “Scandiano”.

From the A1 motorway - Bologna, exit at the Modena-Nord, take the Via Emilia towards Milan, and follow the road signs for “Reggio Emilia”, “Rubiera”, and “Scandiano”.

By train: From both the north and south, get off at Reggio Emilia station, then take the local train on the Reggio Emilia-Sassuolo line, or you can take the bus (for information: www.actre.it).

By plane: From Bologna Airport (www.bologna-airport.it), take the train to Reggio Emilia, and from there, take the local train to Scandiano or the A1 motorway. From Milan Airport (www.sea-aeroportimilano.it), take the train to Reggio Emilia, or the A1 motorway.

Scandiano is only a few kilometers from many cities in northern and central Italy: 60km from Bologna, 35 from Parma, 20 from Modena, 13 from Reggio Emilia, 180 from the Adriatic Riviera, 160 from Milan, 90 from Ferrara, 155 from Florence, 75 from Mantua, 100 from Piacenza, 95 from Verona.