ATS ViviMonferrato ETS
Località Piano 32/B, 15070 Lerma, AL
CF:90028290063 - RUNTS: Rep. n° 3040
cell: 351-7660812
IBAN: IT42 M035 7601 6010 1000 3949146
Casale M.to - The Church of San Domenico
The Dominicans and Guglielmo VIII Marquis of Monferrato: a political and spiritual bond
Casale Monferrato rises to the status of “capital” of the marquisate by the will of Guglielmo VIII. His goal is to increase the prestige of the Marquisate, an imperial fief but subordinated to the Savoy since 1432 due to a failed expansion policy conducted by his father Gian Giacomo.
Guglielmo, a younger son destined for a career as a mercenary captain, would serve both the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice. He frequented the richest and most cultured courts of his time. He would create a Monferrato court, surrounding himself with writers and artists. In 1469 he obtained from Pope Paul II permission to build a Dominican convent and later the church. This step would be one of many in a long policy of dialogue with the papacy that would lead in 1474 to the elevation of Casale to a diocese and, therefore, a capital.
The construction of the convent therefore began immediately, with Guglielmo eager to encourage the presence of the Dominican friars. The construction of the church, however, began in 1472 with the laying of the first stone by Guglielmo himself. The church would be completed in 1513, the year of its consecration. It was and remains the noble church desired by the Paleologi, as also demonstrated by the lunette placed above the portal.
What we will do:
We will try to place both the history of the church and the convent in their historical and architectural context. A first stylistic indication: the construction of the church falls in the transitional period between two styles, Gothic and Renaissance. This gives it a peculiar appearance from the very first glance. The buttresses of the brick façade, finished at the top with typically Gothic arches, and the single-lancet windows that identify the two side aisles, stand out in their simplicity from the rich Renaissance portal. Inside, we will then find the Baroque style of the marquis chapel and important paintings by Giovanni Caccia known as “Moncalvo”, Giovanni Crosio, and Pierfrancesco Guala. We will try to delve into the reasons behind the choices that led the Paleologi and their successors to found and then enrich this church. We will focus on a small but precious Flemish school painting donated by the Marchioness Anna d’Alençon. Our aim is also to highlight the religious spirit and spiritual tension that animated the Monferrato court.
Duration: about 2 hours
Dogs: not allowed
Contribution for the association: to be defined
For information call 351-7660812
or write to
contatti@vivimonferrato.it
ATS ViviMonferrato ETS
Località Piano 32/B, 15070 Lerma, AL
Tax Code: 90028290063 - RUNTS: Rep. no. 3040
cell: 351-7660812
IBAN: IT42 M035 7601 6010 1000 3949146