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THE CHURCH - 2

The area reserved for the faithful

Above the inner entrance doors, with its double central and two side doors, we can find the choir stall, delimited by two carved nut-wood parapets. The building has a structure conceived around three aisles with a cross-vaulted ceiling. Along the walls of the side aisles there are located various paintings which depict the Via Crucis (the Way of the Cross).

Along the right aisle we can find a side altar, in black marble and with Baroque volutes. In central position is a painting which refigures, on high, Maria Ausiliatrice, and below an angel crowning a sainted sister between San Francesco of Sales and San Sebastiano. The aisle terminates in an altar, above which, between two pairs of columns, is a statue of Maria Ausiliatrice.

The left aisle is home to a side altar, with at its centre a canvas depicting the Madonna and Child, Sant’Antonio Abate (recognisable on the bell) and, probably, San Francesco of Sales. The aisle terminates with an altar, above which are two twisting columns, with, in the centre, a canvas depicting Saint Joseph with the Baby Jesus.

Passing through the nave towards the altar, one can admire on the cross-vaulted ceiling the frescoes which represent Guglielmo of Leaval (a blessed from Morgex), San Giocondo, Sant’Anselmo and Blessed Pope Innocent. The pulpit, anchored to a load-bearing column, is made entirely of carved nut-wood with panels figuring the four evangelists (Matthew with the angel, Mark with the lion, John with the eagle, and Luke with the ox); on its back, attached to the column is the “good shepherd” carrying a sheep on his shoulders.

The Presbytery

The nave terminates with a marble balustrade which divides the presbytery from the area reserved for the faithful. On the side walls we can see frescoes of Saint John the Baptist with the lamb at his feet (on the right) and San Grato, the decapitated head of Saint John the Baptist in his hand (on the left).

The main altar, in front of a tabernacle and a small throne, is made of white marble. Four twisting columns hold up a beam above which is an oval canvas which features Our Lady of the Assumption. In the centre is located a canvas which represents San Maurizio between two holy bishops whilst being crowned by two angels, and lower down the martyrdom of the Theban legion. On the sides, between the columns, are two statues of Saint Peter (on the left, keys in hand) and Saint Paul (on the right, with a sword). The wooden part dates back to the eighteenth century, consecrated in 1748, whilst the marble part was made later, in the year 1858.

The cupola, with its octagonal base, is entirely covered in frescoes. In the triangular areas at its bottom are the four evangelists (Matthew with the angel, Mark with the lion, John with the eagle and Luke with the ox), whilst on its inside are represented the four cardinal virtues (Prudence, Justice, Strength and Temperance) and eight prophets.