- Address
- via S. Pietro 7, 41121 Modena
- Web site
- http://www.monasteromodena.it/
- Tag place
zoom
Description
Modena, St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church is annexed to the old Benedictine monastery, which was founded in 996 by Giovanni, bishop of Modena. After some periods of misfortune, in 1434 Pope Eugenio IV assigned the entire monastery to the Congregation of St. Justine. The project of the church was carried out by Pietro Barabani of Carpi and his sons. The building work started in 1476 but continued until 1568. The current appearance of the church is the result of the restoration works carried out during the 19th century after the Napoleonic suppressions and those following the unification of the State. Inside, the church contains many terracotta works by sculptor Antonio Begarelli. However, only the Altar of the Statues has maintained its original location. The sculptures representing Bonaventura and Francesco were originally built to decorate the Franciscan Church. Then, in 1820, they were placed in St. Peter’s Church. Sculptures of St. Justine, St. Peter, St. Benedict and the Madonna and Child were originally located in the refectory of the monastery while the Pietà was firstly situated in the Capitolo room. The church also hosts the most valuable local examples of the typical Renaissance painting technique. The frescoes coming from the Taraschi atelier adorn the choir loft holding up the Facchetti organ pipe (1524-1525). Then, there is the altarpiece by Filippo of Verona, the Madonna and Child and Saints by Gian Gherardo of Catene and the Magdalene, which is attributed to Scarsellino. Moreover, there is a valuable wooden Crucifix by Francesco Bianchi Ferrari dating back to the 15th century as well as some paintings by Ercole Setti. The earthenware decoration of the façade belongs to the same historical period in fact it was finished around 1530 while the marble gates date back to 1549.
Other pictures
