Santa Maria Assunta, Parish church in Sabbioneta, Italy.
Santa Maria Assunta is a parish church in Sabbioneta featuring a single nave with five side chapels and a transept that creates distinct architectural sections. The interior culminates in a distinctive double dome, a design created by Antonio Galli Bibiena that rises above the main altar space.
Construction began in 1562 when Vespasiano commissioned this church to replace an older parish building that stood within castle walls. Pietro Martire Pesenti directed the architectural planning and created a new religious center suited to the expanding city.
The church is named after the Assumption of Mary and serves as the spiritual heart of the community today. Visitors can observe how local residents gather here for worship and celebration throughout the year.
The church sits on Piazza Ducale in the heart of the city and is easy to reach on foot from most locations. It remains an active parish and maintains regular access for visitors throughout the week.
The sacristy, commissioned by Isabella Gonzaga, showcases intricate wooden furnishings and Rococo design details rarely seen elsewhere. Later in the 1870s, artists added frescoes to these walls, creating a hidden artistic gem within the church.
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