Sant'Agostino, Catholic parish church in Como, Italy
Sant'Agostino is a parish church in Como featuring Renaissance and Baroque architecture with a facade of three pinnacles and colored pilasters that divide the interior into three naves. The interior reveals multiple layers of construction from different periods, with stone columns supporting the vaulted structure above.
Construction started in the 14th century by Augustinian monks from the San Tommaso convent in Civiglio, built on land donated by the Pioppi family. The church evolved over centuries with later additions, including neoclassical modifications that were eventually covered over.
The left nave holds six family chapels from the Renaissance and Baroque periods, including one dedicated to Madonna della Cintura with works by Morazzone that visitors can see as they walk through. These chapels show how wealthy families expressed their devotion and chose to place their burial places within the church.
Visit during daylight to see the artwork in the chapels and architectural details clearly. Remember this is an active place of worship, so be respectful of any services or religious activities taking place inside.
A 1960s restoration uncovered 14th and 15th-century frescoes and original wooden roof trusses hidden beneath neoclassical additions. This discovery revealed that the church was far older and more ornate in its original form than the later modifications suggested.
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