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Castelleone (Cremona, Italy): Church of the Trinity
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 The church, whose exact name is the Church of the Holy Trinity, although some even retain the previous dedication calling it the Church of Saint Peter Martyr and of the Holy Trinity, stands on the ancient village walls and was originally dedicated to Saint Peter Martyr. The first version of the church was built in 1263. The church in its current form dates back to 1644 and and was built on behalf of the Brothers of the School of the Trinity, who succeeded those of Saint Peter Martyr.
The building still has a Renaissance appearance, with a façade divided into two orders, punctuated vertically by pilasters with Doric capitals. Each order terminates vertically with a double cornice with a thick band in the center. At the top of the façade is a large triangular pediment.
The entrance door is surrounded by a brick and terracotta portal with a broken pediment above. Above the entrance, on the upper level, there is a large rectangular window surrounded by a terracotta frame with a curved pediment.
On the sides, on both orders, there are two large frames. Those in the lower order contain frescoes that have unfortunately almost disappeared; those in the upper order, already in Baroque style, are empty.
The interior has a single nave with cross vaults.
The walls are separated from the vault by two cornices separated by a band that run along the entire interior perimeter.
The first span has a choir loft on both side walls, the right one of which is occupied by an organ. Under the right choir loft is a small wooden altar that essentially serves as a frame for a showcase containing a statue of the Madonna that almost resembles a mannequin. Perhaps it was originally intended to be dressed. Unfortunately, no information about it could found.
There are then two side chapels on each side, all with the same structure: shallow, barrel-vaulted, and almost entirely occupied by the altars within them, altars that all appear to be made of faux marble and are all characterized by an architecturally structured retable.
- First chapel on the left: It is dedicated to Our Lady of Loreto. At the center of the retable, between two pairs of flat fluted columns, is a niche containing a statue of the Crowned Madonna dressed in rich golden robes. Above it is a depiction of the Holy House of Nazareth, carried by angels.
- Second chapel on the left: It is dedicated to Saint Francis of Assisi. The altar is in Baroque style, with a mixtilinear pediment decorated with cherub heads. Four cherubs sit above and to the sides of the retable, which has a niche in the center containing a statue of the saint.
- First chapel on the right: It is dedicated to the Crucifix. The baroque altar is richly colored. At the center of the retable is a niche containing a precious 16th-century wooden crucifix in front of a canvas depicting the Pious Women. The scenic effect and depth are enhanced by a painted silhouette simulating a curtain placed in front, partially hiding the crucifix.
- Second chapel on the right: It is dedicated to Saint Peter Martyr. The altar is very similar to that of the first chapel on the left, in particular the retable, with the same structure, albeit with different colors and details. In the niche at the center of the retable is a statue of Saint Peter Martyr.
The presbytery and choir essentially form an extension of the nave in a slightly raised position. The presbytery is separated from the nave by a polychrome marble balustrade.
The high altar consists of a simple, large solid wood counter with few simple decorations.
The choir is illuminated by two large rectangular windows in the bottom wall. The lower portion of the walls is occupied by solid wood stalls arranged in two rows. On the back wall hangs a canvas by Stefano Lambri, Crucifixion with Saint Dominic and the Magdalene, from 1626.
The lunette is entirely occupied by an apparently recent fresco depicting the Trinity.
Following the 2012 earthquake, the church underwent restoration work, completed in December 2015. This included the consolidation of the entire building, the replacement of the roof, and the restoration of the façade, where the frescoes on the metopes and lower niches were once again visible.
Categories: Places of historical value of artistic value
Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, 14, 26012 Castelleone CR |
Further pictures of Church of the Trinity in the section Photography |