Santi Gerolamo e Francesco Saverio, Former church and Italian national heritage in Genoa, Italy.
Santi Gerolamo e Francesco Saverio is a former church in Genoa with a single nave and four side chapels, built between 1650 and 1658 by Pietro Antonio Corradi, possibly from a design by Bartolomeo Bianco. Its pale stone facade has two dark panelled doors between four smooth columns, a central panel with Latin text, and an arched pediment with three windows. A curved crowning pediment tops the composition.
Construction started in 1650 under architect Pietro Antonio Corradi and the building was officially opened in 1658. These two dates mark the establishment of this religious site during a period of active church building in Genoa.
The name pairs Jerome, translator of the Bible, with Francis Xavier, the Jesuit missionary who reached Japan. The choir vault shows Piola's "Meeting of Saint Francis Xavier with the King of Bongo", based on Daniello Bartoli's account; in fact the saint met an attendant of the Shōgun of Bungo. The arch below carries the Balbi family crest with allegorical figures.
The building sits in the center of Genoa and is easy to reach from other historical monuments in the city. Its central location makes it simple to visit the site along with other attractions in the area.
The building later became connected to the University of Genoa, shifting its role from a place of worship to an academic institution. This transition shows how historical structures in the city took on new purposes.
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