San Martino, Mantua Explained

Building Name:Church of San Martino
Image Upright:1.1
Location:Mantua, Italy
Religious Affiliation:Roman Catholic
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:Church
Architecture Style:Baroque
Year Completed:18th century

The church of San Martino, dedicated to St Martin of Tours is a Baroque architecture, Roman Catholic church located on Via Pomponazzo in a quartiere once known as San Martino in Mantua, region of Lombardy, Italy.

History

A church at the site is documented by 1127, with the prior belonging to the Benedictine Abbey of Polirone. The simple church underwent major reconstruction from 1680 to 1693 using designs of the Flemish architect and painter Frans Geffels. The vertical façade is highly encrusted with decoration, and has three niches with stucco 18th century statues depicting St Martin donating cloak to poor (center) and Saints Peter and Paul. The interior also has an elaborate stucco decoration in the style of Michele Costa, as well as a large canvas by Gian Francesco Tura of a Madonna with Child with Saints.

A number of other paintings were moved here after the Napoleonic suppression. Among the artworks are:

Bibliography

  1. Giornale della Società per il Palazzo Ducale

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