Saint George church

Saint George Church, locally known as Chiesa di San Giorgio, stands as the principal church of Sassuolo, a charming town nestled in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy. This remarkable edifice, dedicated to the town's patron saint, Saint George, is not only a place of worship but also a testament to the rich history and architectural evolution of the area.

The Origins of Saint George Church

The origins of Saint George Church trace back to an indeterminate date, although it is certain that the church existed by the 14th century. Initially, it functioned as a rectory dependent on the parish of Castellarano until 1594. The first recorded mention of the church dates to 1318, when it was noted in an invitation to pay a tithe by apostolic collectors.

In 1331, the church underwent its first significant enlargement and beautification, following the testamentary dispositions of Obizzo I della Rosa, the lord of Sassuolo. By 1375, under the direction of Niccolò II and Alberto V d'Este, the church was elevated to a parish church. It was then dedicated to Saint George, the protector of Ferrara, which was the capital of the Este domains at the time.

Transformation and Independence

Despite its new status, the church did not have its own baptismal font until 1428. This addition was a result of a specific request from the Sassuolo community, who found it increasingly difficult to reach the parish of Castellarano due to frequent flooding of the Secchia River. The church saw a series of rectors, many from Ferrara, during the initial Este rule. However, by the end of the 15th century, with the establishment of the Pio lordship, local families began to provide rectors.

In 1571, the church was restored under the direction of Lord Enea Pio. The works, initially halted, resumed in 1584, extending the church by an arch and completely restructuring its façade. The following year, the church was equipped with an organ for the first time. In 1593, Marco Pio di Savoia, the last lord of Sassuolo, petitioned Cardinal Pietro Aldobrandini for the church's independence from Castellarano, a matter of great importance to the Sassuolo community. On July 7, 1594, all requests were granted, and the church was officially recognized as a collegiate church.

The Current Structure

By the mid-18th century, the existing church structure had become too small for the growing congregation. In 1755, Venetian architect Pietro Bezzi was commissioned to design a new building. However, Bezzi was later replaced by Domenico Lucenti and Giovanni Battista Massari in 1757, who revised the project to align more closely with the typical solutions of 18th-century Emilian architecture. The new church was blessed and reopened for worship in 1762 after two years of construction. It was restored and consecrated in 1881, with further major restorations occurring in 1929, 1970, 2000, and most recently in 2021.

Architectural Highlights

Saint George Church is situated at Vicolo Carandine in Piazza Martiri Partigiani, commonly referred to as Piazza Grande by the locals. The church is a rare and notable example of barocchetto architecture. The façade, which for decades was characterized by exposed brickwork, now showcases the original 18th-century color scheme following the 2021 restorations. The warm colors accentuate the architectural interplay of solids and voids.

Interior Decorations and Dome

The interior stucco decorations were crafted by Bolognese artist Antonio Schiassi, assisted by Giuseppe Caselgrandi, in 1762. They were responsible for all the adornments except those of the first left altar, which were commissioned by Camillo Baggi and executed by Fra' Stefano da Carpi. Four reliefs depicting the Evangelists adorn the pendentives of the dome, which lacks a drum and is enclosed in a lantern.

Main Nave and Choir

The main altar is adorned with stucco statues representing theological virtues and a grand altarpiece by Jean Boulanger, created between 1646 and 1649 for the original building and preserved during the 18th-century reconstruction. The canvas, the largest in the municipal territory, depicts the Madonna and Child in glory with Saint George and other co-patrons of the city. Beneath the main altar lies the urn containing the remains of Saint Ruffino Martyr, a co-patron. The cardinal virtues are positioned beside the two central side altars: Justice and Fortitude on the left, Prudence and Temperance on the right. The 17th-century wooden choir by Carlo Guastuzzi and the circular ceramic panels with a blue cross on a white background, created by the Rubbiani Factory in the late 19th century, are also noteworthy.

Right Nave

The first altar on the right houses a painting by Piacenza artist Antonio Bresciani from 1770, depicting Saint Anthony of Padua, a co-patron of the city, adoring the Child shown to him by Saint Joseph, along with the image of the Blessed Virgin of Good Counsel. The second right altar features a 17th-century wooden sculpture of the Madonna of Mount Carmel. The third right altar holds a painting from 1761 depicting Saint Paul, Anthony the Abbot, and Teresa of Avila adoring the cross. The central part of the work dates back to the late 16th century, with 18th-century additions to adapt it to its current location. The same altar also houses the 18th-century Madonna of Graces, donated by Canon Giacomo Speranza in 1847.

Left Nave

The first left altar features a painting by Francesco Vellani, executed shortly after 1761, depicting Saint Camillus de Lellis blessing a dying man, with an intriguing scene of Archangel Michael battling the devil for the soul of the dying man at the top of the painting. The second left altar contains an 19th-century papier-mâché Madonna of Mount Carmel by Sassuolo sculptor Ciro Zironi. The same altar also holds a 19th-century polychrome marble tabernacle. The third left altar is dedicated to a Crucifix honoring Saint Aurelia, a co-patron, whose relics are preserved in a scagliola urn along with those of Martyr Veronica. The left choir houses an organ made by Agostino Scarabelli Traeri in 1761, enclosed in an elegant cabinet carved by Giuseppe Casalgrandi.

Saint George Church, with its rich history, architectural splendor, and artistic treasures, is a must-visit for anyone exploring Sassuolo. It stands as a beacon of the town's cultural and spiritual heritage, inviting visitors to step back in time and experience the grandeur of centuries past.