The Church of Madonna in Selva (or Madonna di Ponte), or Santa Maria in Selva di Ponte, is just outside the built-up area of Brissago and is surrounded by luxuriant green vegetation. It was a main reference point for the believers living in the various hamlets scattered along the shore and in the mountains.
History of the Church of Madonna in Selva di Ponte
The Church of Santa Maria in Selva (which was already cited in the 13th century as a church in a cemetery) was completely rebuilt during the 1520's on a project by Giovanni Beretta, who in those years also worked at the parish church dedicated to Santi Pietro e Paolo. Reconstruction was particularly difficult so much so that in 1574, Archbishop Charles Borromeo ordered that it be completed as soon as possible. The façade with a Serlian window in the top section and the portal designed by Pietro Beretta (son of Giovanni) were completed in 1591 while the bell tower was only completed at the end of the 17th century.
Structure of the Church of Santa Maria in Selva
The façade has clear Renaissance lines; two portals open out on the side of the lake, the first of which bears the phrase “Ave Maria Grazia Plena 1604”. In front of it is the Renaissance portico and in following with his wishes, the tomb of Ruggero Leoncavallo, the musician from Pagliacci, and his wife Berthe.
The church has a single nave off of which two chapels open. The first and third spans are barrel vaulted, while the middle one is cross-vaulted.
An orthogonal dome lantern is on the presbytery and is surrounded on the outside by an overhead loggia, whose grey stone (typical in the area) reminisces of Bramantesque modules reinterpreted in concise, vigorous ways.
Inside are the baroque altars of the Assunta by G.P. Fossati (1686), and of S. Macario by Pietro Beretta (1594). The end wall of the choir has a fresco of the Assumption of Mary, which is by an anonymous artist at the end of the 16th century.
Photo gallery Church of Madonna in Selva
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