Basilica of San Savino, Piacenza
The Basilica of San Savino is an ancient Roman Catholic basilica in the city of Piacenza in the Province of Piacenza, Italy.
History
A church at the site was consecrated in 1107 to Saint Sabinus of Piacenza, second bishop of the city. It was built by bishop Sigifredo. 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 the church. 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 frescoes from the 12th century and a 15th-century frescoe in the presbytery depicting an Enthroned Madonna and child. [1]
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.[2]
References
- ↑ Comune of Piacenza, entry on church.
- ↑ Nuovissima guida della città di Piacenza con alquanti cenni topografici, statistici, e storici, by Tipografia Domenico Tagliaferri, Piazza de' Cavalli, #55, Piacenza (1842); Page 229.
Coordinates: 45°03′01″N 9°42′06″E / 45.0504°N 9.7016°E