The Dominicans and Guglielmo VIII Marquis of Monferrato: a political and spiritual bond
Casale Monferrato became the "capital" of the marquisate by will of William VIII. His goal was to increase the prestige of the Marquisate, an imperial fief but subordinate to the Savoys since 1432 due to a failed expansion policy conducted by his father Gian Giacomo.
Guglielmo, a younger son who started a career as a mercenary captain, will serve both the Duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice. He will attend the richest and most cultured courts of his era and he will create a Monferrina one by surrounding himself with writers and artists. In 1469 he will obtain from Pope Paul II the permission to build a Dominican convent and later the church. This step will be one of many in a long policy of dialogue with the papacy which in 1474 will lead to the elevation of Casale to bishopric and, therefore, capital of the marquisate.
The construction of the convent therefore began immediately, willing Guglielmo to encourage the presence of Dominican friars. The construction of the church instead began in 1472 with the laying of the first stone by Guglielmo. The church will be completed in 1513, the year of consecration. It was and remains the noble church commissioned by the Palaeologus family, as demonstrated by the lunette above the portal.
Description: We will try to describe the history of the church and the convent both historically and architecturally. A first stylistic indication: the building of the church takes place in the transition period between two styles, Gothic and Renaissance. This gives it a peculiar look from the first impact. The buttresses of the brick facade finished in the upper part by typically Gothic little arches and the single lancet windows that identify the two lateral naves stand out in their simplicity from the rich Renaissance portal. Inside we will then find the Baroque style in the marquis chapel and important paintings by Giovanni Caccia nicknamed "Moncalvo", Giovanni Crosio and Pierfrancesco Guala. We will try to deepen the reasons for the choices that led the Palaeologus and their successors to found and then enrich this church. We will focus on a small but precious painting of the Flemish school donated by the Marquise Anna d'Alençon. Our intention is to deepen the religious spirit and spiritual tension that animated the Monferrato court too.
Duration: about 2 hours
Dogs: not allowed, anyway ask information
Contribution to the association: to be defined
Clothing: Comfortable
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