The San Rocco Church (or Santi Barnaba and Rocco Church) is located near the square of the same name in Alessandria.
Church of San Rocco Alessandria
Useful information
The address of the Chiesa di San Rocco is Via Palestro, 15121 Alessandria (tel. +39 0131512239). Opening hours: From 09:00 to 12:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Closed: Monday, Wednesday morning.
History and description
The San Rocco Church has only been known by this name since the 19th century. It began its existence in the 12th century as the San Giovanni dei Capucci Church.
The San Giovanni del Capucci complex was founded by the Umiliati monastic order. The order was one of the driving forces behind the rapid economic development of Alessandria at that time.
The Umiliati were very powerful, and therefore not very popular among the city’s aristocracy. In 1571 the order was disbanded by Pope Pius V. Both church and monastery were taken over by other orders, who also carried out multiple renovations.
In 1830 the church came into the hands of the Brotherhood of Saints Barnaba and Rocco.
During the First World War, the complex was used as a warehouse for cattle feed.
Since 1947 the church has been owned by the religious brotherhood Piccola opera della Divina Provvidenza of Don Orione.