San Sebastiano, Renaissance basilica in Biella, Italy
San Sebastiano is a Renaissance church in Biella featuring three naves arranged in a Latin cross plan with terracotta decorations throughout. The bell tower rises beside the building with an octagonal spire that can be seen from various points in the city.
The church was built from 1504 to 1551 on a design by Sebastiano Ferrero, finance minister at the Savoy court, after the Lateran Congregation moved to Biella in 1498-1499. The Latin-cross plan took about half a century to complete, while the facade stayed unfinished until the 19th century. The adjoining monastery later served as barracks and warehouse, and now houses the Museo Biellese.
The name of the church refers to Saint Sebastian, to whom it is consecrated. Inside, the second chapel holds panels with Saint Dominic and Blessed Augustine De Fango by Boniforte Oldoni, while the chapel of the Madonna di Oropa keeps two paintings of Saint Bartholomew and Saint Dominic attributed to the same artist. The organ, installed in 1926 by the Scolari brothers of Bolzano Novarese, has 23 registers across two manuals and pedalboard.
The church sits along Via Quintino Sella and can be easily reached from the city center. The attached cloister houses a museum with information about the site's history and collections.
In the presbytery stands the Renaissance choir and lectern carved by Gerolamo de Mellis in 1545, set with bronze plaques and 13th-century Limoges enamels. The organ above it, installed in 1926 by the Scolari brothers of Bolzano Novarese, has 23 registers across two manuals and pedals.
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