Santa Chiara, Baroque Catholic church in Turin, Italy
Santa Chiara is a baroque church in Turin with a central dome supported by eight pillars that form a double-shell structure. The interior features ribbed brick vaulting that reduces weight on the walls while allowing natural light to flood the spaces.
The church was rebuilt between 1742 and 1745 by architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone, replacing a gothic monastery from the 13th century. This transformation marks the shift from medieval to baroque architecture at the site.
The church reflects 18th-century religious architecture through its interior design for processions and prayer. The space behind the pillars served as choir areas for monks and nuns, showing how different communities used the building.
Access is straightforward with wide doors at the entrance that let visitors take in the entire structure easily. The interior is well lit through large windows, making it pleasant to explore at any time of day.
The building uses an innovative load distribution system where the pillars connect to the rear wall through the choir spaces positioned behind them. This sophisticated structural design was unusually advanced for its time and shows the architect's technical skill.
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