Santa Maria Maggiore church, known locally as Chiesa di Santa Maria Maggiore, stands as a magnificent testament to Trento's rich historical and architectural heritage. This iconic church, commissioned by Prince-Bishop Bernardo Clesio, is not just a spiritual haven but a beacon of Renaissance architecture and historical significance, having played a pivotal role during the Council of Trent. Let's embark on a journey through time and explore the marvels of Santa Maria Maggiore church.
The history of Santa Maria Maggiore church is deeply intertwined with the very fabric of Trento. Archaeological excavations between 1974-1978 and 2007-2009 have shed light on its ancient origins. The site where the church now stands once hosted Roman public buildings, possibly even a thermal complex. An agiographic source, the Passio Sancti Vigilii, attributes the foundation of the ecclesia to Saint Vigilius, the third bishop of Trento, around the late 4th or early 5th century. However, recent findings suggest the first sacred building on this site dates back to the second half of the 5th century or early 6th century.
Throughout the centuries, the church underwent several transformations. In the high Middle Ages, between the late 8th and early 9th centuries, significant restructuring included the addition of richly decorated stone liturgical furnishings. By the 10th-11th centuries, a new, smaller church replaced the original one, featuring a central semicircular apse flanked by two smaller apses. This medieval practice of reusing building materials from earlier structures was common and adds to the church's layered history.
The current Renaissance-style church, visible today, began construction in 1520 under the directive of Bernardo Clesio. It was during this period that Santa Maria Maggiore church gained prominence, particularly during the Council of Trent. On December 12, 1545, the church was the destination of the first solemn procession of the Council, and from 1562, it hosted the general congregations of the council's final phase. This historical significance is immortalized in various artworks and engravings, including a notable painting by Elia Naurizio housed in the Tridentine Diocesan Museum.
The architectural elegance of Santa Maria Maggiore church is evident even at first glance. The façade, constructed from white and red stone, showcases a Renaissance style with an archivolt entrance. The portal, commissioned by Prince-Bishop Cristoforo Madruzzo in 1539, is adorned with a lunette depicting the Annunciation to Mary. This façade, along with the churches of the Assumption in Civezzano and the Cathedral of the Assumption in Cles, completes the Clesian trilogy.
Inside, the church features a single nave with a series of chapels lining the sides, each housing baroque marble altars. Among the notable artworks is a piece by Giovan Battista Moroni in the second chapel on the right, depicting Madonna, Saint John, and the four doctors of the church. The interior also boasts several altarpieces and a baroque sarcophagus containing relics attributed to Saint Clement, surrounded by stuccoes crafted by Gerolamo Aliprandi. The ceiling paintings, illustrating moments from the Council of Trent and key figures of the Counter-Reformation, are of significant historical and artistic value.
Flanking the main altar are statues of Saint Martha and Saint Magdalene, sculpted in the 1670s by Cornelis van der Beck. The northern part of the presbytery is occupied by the choir, a masterpiece by stonecutters Vincenzo and Gian Girolamo Grandi, featuring a grand tribune with bas-reliefs and medallions, supported by intricately carved brackets. This project, commissioned by Giovanni Antonio Zurletta (or Ciurletti), was realized between 1534 and 1542.
The campanile of Santa Maria Maggiore church, standing at 53 meters, is the tallest in Trento. Constructed from white limestone, it features two orders of Romanesque triple windows and a polygonal dome. In 1921, the bell tower was equipped with a set of seven bells, cast by the Luigi Colbacchini foundry in Trento. These bells, designed to harmonize with those of the cathedral, create a majestic sound reserved for major festivities.
On the choir of the presbytery resides the Mascioni opus 402 pipe organ, built in 1928 using the case of the ancient 1536 organ. Restored and expanded in 1953 after World War II damage, this electric transmission instrument features three keyboards, a concave-radial pedalboard, and a total of 56 registers. The organ case, with its serliana structure, displays pipes arranged in unique cusps, adding to the church's grandeur.
Santa Maria Maggiore church is not merely a place of worship but a living monument that narrates the tale of Trento's rich history and architectural evolution. Its walls echo the solemn assemblies of the Council of Trent, its artworks reflect the religious fervor of the Renaissance, and its bells resonate with the city's enduring spirit. For any visitor to Trento, a visit to Santa Maria Maggiore church is an unmissable journey through time, faith, and artistry.
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