– Chiesa (the church)

The Borgo’s religious building is the most striking example of the painstaking work carried out by the builders. Originally, it was a simple theatrical backdrop, limited to the façade, composed of seven different models assembled together.
The general lines recall the proportions of the old parish church of Verzuolo near Saluzzo; the slender door gable is based on an original in San Giovanni di Ciriè. The terracotta cornice is a copy of that of San Giorgio in Valperga in the Canavese area, from which the window on the left side is also taken. The six terracotta spires or pinnacles above the building are covered by cone-shaped roofs and also stem from Ciriè. The fact that the church is dedicated to the Madonna is revealed in the presence of the terracotta reproduction of the original stone version of the Madonna del Melograno on the portal of the collegiate church of Santa Maria della Scala in Chieri. The door tympanum depicts the Annunciation; in this case, the figure of Mary comes from Piobesi near Candiolo, and the angel from Piossasco. The large San Cristoforo col Bambin Gesù on his shoulder is taken from a fresco in the old church in Verzuolo; San Bernardo con il diavolo in catene (St. Bernard with the devil in chains) has its model in San Giorgio in Valperga; Sant’Antonio Abate was copied from the parish church in Piossasco and the two female figures, representing Santa Dorotea and Santa Caterina, are replicas of paintings in Strambino Castle.

In the 1960s, it was decided to give greater substance to this façade by building modest premises housing a real church. Since 2005, these premises have been used as an exhibition hall.

COOKIE E PRIVACY POLICYACCESSIBILITÀCREDITS

BORGO MEDIEVALE – Viale Virgilio, 107 (Parco del Valentino) 10126 Torino

borgomedievale@comune.torino.it

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