The first version of the San Francesco d’Assisi Church in Turin dates back to the 12th century. It was reconstructed several times, often thanks to financial help provided by aristocratic families and by trade corporations. One of its chapels is decorated with stucco builder’s tools.
San Francesco d’Assisi Church Turin
Useful information
Address: Via San Francesco D’Assisi, 11 – Torino. Phone: +39 011. Opening times: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 09.30 till 11.00 and from 17.00 till 19.00. Closed: The rest of the week. Entrance fee: Free.
History and description
The first reconstruction of the San Francesco Church took place in 1608. However, the main changed were made my Bernardo Vittone and his helper Mario Ludovico Quarini.
Vittone’s main contributions were the facade, the presbytery and its polychrome high altar, the choir and the cupola.
The construction of several side chapels was often paid for by noble families. Others were financed by various guilds. Tailors, pharmacists, greenhouse workers, lawyers are all represented.
The second chapel on the left is the most interesting one. In 1636, it was given to the Compagnia di Sant’Anna dei Luganesi, which consisted of engineers, architects, plasterers etc. from Milan and Lugano, in short all the building site workers from those parts active in Turin. The chapel is decorate with stucco tools used on building sites.