Santa Maria degli Angioli church, Renaissance Catholic church in Lugano, Switzerland
Santa Maria degli Angioli is a church building in Lugano with a monumental wall fresco depicting the Passion and Crucifixion of Christ. This fresco covers an entire wall and features more than 150 human figures and horses arranged in dynamic scenes.
Construction of the building began in 1499 by Franciscan friars and it was consecrated in 1515 as part of a larger monastery complex. The wall fresco was created later, showing artistic developments that took place over several decades.
The main fresco on the wall shows religious scenes that visitors can experience exactly as they were meant to be seen. The way figures are arranged and colors are applied reflects the artistic tastes of the Renaissance period.
The church offers artistic and historical information in multiple languages so visitors from different countries can understand the works. The large wall fresco is clearly visible from inside, and it is worth taking time to observe all the details.
A fresco on the south wall depicts the Last Supper and was created by an artist who drew inspiration from a famous painting. This wall work shows how artistic ideas traveled from an art center in Italy to Switzerland.
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