San Giacomo, Former convent in Savona, Italy.
San Giacomo is a former convent on a hill above Savona's port, built in stone with religious decorations in the local Ligurian style. The complex includes connected buildings, courtyards, and is being renovated to house exhibition spaces and a garden overlooking the city.
The convent was founded in 1472 and officially opened in 1476, gradually collecting artworks from painters across Liguria and Lombardy. Many of these paintings were taken to Paris when Napoleon's forces arrived in the region.
The convent was an important religious hub for Savona's community and reflects how faith shaped daily life in the city. Today visitors can walk through the spaces and see how monks and local people interacted within these walls.
The location is easily accessible on foot and offers good views of the port and city from its hillside position. The new exhibition spaces are bright and allow visitors to explore the architecture and artworks at their own pace.
The Baroque poet Gabriello Chiabrera, who invented the poetic melodrama form, is buried here and left a lasting mark on Italian literature. His innovative approach to verse influenced the artistic movements of the time.
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