Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pomposa, Romanesque church in Modena, Italy
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pomposa is a single-nave church with shallow chapels separated by freestanding columns and an unfinished facade showing traces of a medieval door. The interior space is defined by a simple structure typical of Romanesque building in the Emilia region.
The church was first documented in 1153 as part of the Pomposa Abbey holdings, then underwent complete reconstruction from the ground up in 1716. This transformation significantly altered its structure and shaped its current form.
The interior walls display six paintings depicting scenes from Saint Sebastian's life, created by the Modenese painter Bernardino Cervi in the early 1600s. These works shape how the church looks and reflect the region's artistic tradition.
Visiting is possible on weekdays and weekends with a midday break in the middle of the day. Plan your visit according to regular opening hours and note that entry is free of charge.
Behind the main altar hangs a 1654 painting by French artist Jean Boulanger, which copies Correggio's original work. The canvas depicts Saints Geminianus, Sebastian, Rocco, and the Virgin Mary, blending French and Italian artistic influences.
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