What to See in Piacenza - Top Sights and Attractions

Church in Piacenza, Italy. The Basilica of Sant'Antonino is a medieval Roman Catholic basilica in the city of Piacenza in Italy. it is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Antoninus.

The original church of Sant'Antonio was an early Christian martyrium. The present building was the work of Bishop Sigifredo, who dedicated it in 1014 as a collegiate church. He chose the form of a oriented basilica with a western nave and a campanile. The interior was decorated with early Romanesque painting, a little of which survives.

The basilica on pilgrimage routes was designed by Pietro Vago in 1350. In 1998, a large statue of Gregory X, sculpted by Giorgio Groppi, was placed under the large Portico of Paradise. The Portico was itself completed in the 12th century with carvings by the school of Niccolò da Ferrara. The church has been rebuilt and modified across the century. The carved wood ceiling was substituted by Gothic tracery. In the 19th century pseudo-gothic decoration was added to the interior. The adjacent cloister dates to 1483.

The interior of the church contains frescoes by Camillo Gavasetti in the presbytery, and canvases by Robert de Longe. Many of the works have been transferred to the Civic Gallery. Among the works retained is a "Coronation of the Virgin" by Gian Battista Trotti (il Malosso).^[5]

Basilica in Piacenza, Italy. The Basilica of San Savino is an ancient Roman Catholic basilica in the city of Piacenza in the Province of Piacenza, Italy. It is dedicated to Saint Sabinus of Piacenza, second bishop of the city.

San Savino was established as a Benedictine monastery in 903. The original construction appears to have been poor. In February 998, Pope Gregory V confirmed its right to freely elect its abbots. It was rebuilt outside the city walls by Bishop Sigifredo in 1005. The present structure is mostly a rebuild of 1107 with later modifications, although it includes a few elements from the 903 edifice. The crypt of the church has 12th-century mosaics depicting the zodiac signs on a marine background. The presbytery has a contemporary mosaic showing battle scenes and a depiction of Christ.

In the 1500s, the church became property of the Hieronymite order, who reconstructed it. In the 18th century, the church interior was decorated in a Rococo style, hiding much of the original Romanesque details. In 1721, the present facade was built. Among the works of art in the church is a wooden crucifix and frescos from the 12th century and a 15th-century fresco in the presbytery depicting an Enthroned Madonna and child.

In 1819, the hospice for "orphans and the exposed" (Ospizio degli Orfani ed Esposti) with 60 children was moved to the Girolamini monastery attached to San Savino. The hospice had been founded in 1573 by the then bishop, and run by the Somaschi order of clerics regular. They were affiliated with the parish church of San Stefano. The orphanage had been housed in the convent of Sant'Anna.^[10]