Collegiata di San Michele Arcangelo, Solofra

The Collegiata di San Michele Arcangelo, translated as Collegiate Church of St Michael Archangel, is a richly decorated, Baroque style, Roman Catholic church in Solofra, Province of Avellino, Italy.

History

The collegiata was instituted by the University of Solofra in 1522. The church building was completed in 1614, and proclaimed basilica in 1685. Over the centuries, it has required a number of reconstructions due to earthquakes. The bell-tower was built in 1564. The idiosyncratic facade, with three portals, has sculptures representing St Michael, the evangelists, and Fathers of the church; it faces the central square in town and the Palazzo Orsini.[1]

The interior is remarkable for a wooden roof with twenty one framed canvases painted by Giovanni Tommaso Guarino, and depicting events from the old testament, while the transept has a ceiling with scenes from the new testament painted by Giovanni Tommaso's brother, Francesco. Other works in the church include an Epiphany by Andrea Sabbatini and an Assumption of the Virgin, witnessed by the Saints by Giovanni de Mari. The main altarpiece is a Coronation of the Virgin (1594 by Giovanni Battista Lama.[2] Below the main altarpiece is a gilded statue of St Michael Archangel.[3]

The church has an elaborated decorated and gilded front to the organ, and carved pulpit by the studio of Giovanni Antonio Scavo.[4]

References
  1. Solofra Storica Archived December 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, history of Collegiata.
  2. In Campania Archived 2014-06-06 at the Wayback Machine, Official tourism site for Campania, entry on church.
  3. Official site of the Collegiata by Comune of Solofra Archived May 28, 2014, at the Wayback Machine
  4. In Campania website.

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