Santa Maria delle Grazie, Gothic church in Bellinzona, Switzerland.
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a Gothic church in Bellinzona with a large transverse wall that divides the interior space. The interior is covered throughout with Renaissance frescoes that define the entire composition.
The church was founded in 1480 and initially operated alongside a Franciscan monastery as a religious center for the community. In the Renaissance period, it became a center for artistic expression through its commissioned works.
The interior walls display fifteen scenes from the life of Christ, created by a Lombardy artist between 1495 and 1505. These depictions shape how the space looks today and tell biblical stories in vivid detail.
Visits are possible daily, preferably in the morning or afternoon when light is best for viewing the frescoes. The courtyard and interior are easily accessible and offer a quiet place to walk and observe the artwork.
The cloister contains frescoes from 1636 commissioned by wealthy families in the area. These works depict scenes from Saint Francis's life and were funded by patrons who held the highest local authority.
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