Chiesa di San Gioacchino

On a clear day, did you know that the Chiesa di San Gioacchino’s bell tower offers a breathtaking view? Well, not quite a view from the top, as you can’t climb it. But imagine standing here in 1884, when those eight bells, cast by Pasquale Mazzola, first rang out from its 45-meter height. The Chiesa di San Gioacchino, completed just two years prior, stood as a symbol of the burgeoning city, a stark contrast to the humble church it replaced. This Chiesa di San Gioacchino, with its imposing façade inspired by Romanesque churches like Santa Maria di Collemaggio in L’Aquila, speaks of grandeur. Yet, it carries within its walls echoes of a simpler past. Before this grand structure graced Corso Giulio Cesare, the parish resided in a church dedicated to Saints Simon and Jude. That humble building, nestled in Piazza Borgo Dora, met an unfortunate end, damaged beyond repair by the 1881 earthquake. It was then that the community rallied under the leadership of Monsignor Giovanni Cairola, to commission a new house of worship. The task fell upon Carlo Ceppi, an architect renowned for blending architectural styles. The Chiesa di San Gioacchino stands as a testament to his vision, its paleochristian-inspired interior, with its three naves and 18 “red Verona” marble columns, a tribute to early Christian churches of Rome. As you step inside, look closely at the apse. Eleven niches house statues of revered figures. Notice anything curious? Two niches were intentionally left vacant during the church’s construction. They were reserved by Monsignor Cairola for two individuals he deeply admired, Giuseppe Benedetto Cottolengo and Giovanni Bosco. Upon their beatification, statues were finally erected, forever linking these figures to the Chiesa di San Gioacchino’s story. Each detail, from the “venite adoremus” mosaic near the altar to the refurbished ceiling adorned with 90 coffered panels, whispers tales of resilience, faith, and the enduring spirit of Turin.