Santa Maria Assunta, Genoa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta |
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Façade of the basilica.
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| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Roman Catholic |
| Province | Genoa |
| Ecclesiastical or organizational status | National monument |
| Year consecrated | 1951 |
| Status | Active |
| Location | |
| Location | Genoa, Italy |
| Architecture | |
| Architectural type | Church |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| Groundbreaking | 1522 |
| Completed | 19th century |
The Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is a beautiful old church in Genoa, Italy. It's built in the Renaissance style, which was popular a long time ago. You can find it in a hilly part of Genoa called Carignano, so people often call it Santa Maria Assunta di Carignano. Building of the church started way back in 1522.
Contents
Church Design and Outside Look
This church has a special design called a Greek cross plan. This means all four sides of the church look very similar. It has five domes on top, which are like big rounded roofs. The main front of the church, called the facade, has two square bell towers. Originally, there were plans for four bell towers! On the front, you can also see two statues made by an artist named Claude David.
Amazing Art Inside the Church
When you step inside the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, you'll see lots of amazing art. The inside is decorated with many beautiful pieces from the late Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Statues and Sculptures
Around the main dome, there are four special statues. On the right side, you can see statues of Blessed Alessandro Sauli and St Sebastian. These were made in 1668 by a famous artist named Pierre Puget. On the left side, there's a statue of St Bartholomew from 1695 by Claude David. You'll also find a statue of St John the Baptist by Filippo Parodi. Along the walls, there are more statues of apostles and important church figures. These were all finished by 1740 by Francesco Schiaffino.
Paintings on the Right Side
As you walk along the right side of the church, you'll see several altars, each with its own painting:
- At the first altar, there's a painting called St Peter Healing the Lame (1694–1696) by Domenico Piola.
- The second altar features Martyrdom di San Biagio (1680) by Carlo Baratta. Next to it is Resurrection of Christ by Aurelio Lomi.
- You can also find Annunciation by Ottavio Semino.
- At the third altar, there's Virgin with Saints Domenic and Rosa by Paolo Gerolamo Piola.
- The fourth altar has Viaticum of St. Magdalene by Francesco Vanni.
Paintings on the Left Side
On the left side of the church, there are more incredible paintings:
- At the fifth altar, you'll see Blessed Alessandro Sauli Stops the Plague (around 1630) by Domenico Fiasella.
- The sixth altar holds Pietà (around 1571) by Luca Cambiaso. Next to it are Last Judgement by Aurelio Lomi and Vision of St Domenic by Domenico Fiasella.
- At the seventh altar, there's Madonna with Saints Charles Borromeo and Francis of Assisi (around 1620) by Giulio Cesare Procaccini.
- The eighth altar features St Francis of Assisi receives stigmata by Guercino.
Main Altar and Sacristy
The main altar area, called the presbytery, has paintings of the Last Supper and Flight to Egypt by Giuseppe Palmieri. The main altar itself is made of marble and bronze. It was designed around 1700 by Massimiliano Soldani. It has a bronze crucifix by Pietro Tacca. In the sacristy, which is a room where priests prepare for services, there's a painting of a Holy Family by Luca Cambiaso.
See also
In Spanish: Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta (Génova) para niños
