San Benedetto, Renaissance church in Ferrara, Italy.
San Benedetto is a Renaissance church in Ferrara designed by architect Biagio Rossetti, featuring a spacious interior with a prominent dome above the central nave. The structure was built as a religious complex with a bell tower that became an integral part of its overall appearance.
Benedictine monks commissioned the construction after relocating from Pomposa Abbey, where malaria had made their previous settlement untenable. Work on the building spanned from the late 15th century through the mid-16th century.
The church temporarily housed the remains of poet Ludovico Ariosto until 1801, when they were transferred to the Ariostea Library in Ferrara.
Entry is through the main facade, which leads directly into the church interior. Visitors should allow time to walk through the nave and observe the full scope of the interior space, as the building extends considerably in length.
The building suffered severe damage from World War II bombing and later endured a major fire and seismic damage from an earthquake. It reopened to visitors only after a comprehensive restoration campaign that brought it back to usable condition.
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