Chiesa della Visitazione

Is it possible for a church to be both imposing and understated? Take a look at the Chiesa della Visitazione right here. While it may not shout for attention like some of Turin’s grander churches, it possesses a quiet dignity that draws you in. The Chiesa della Visitazione was completed in 1660. It was a gift from Duke Vittorio Amedeo I to the Visitandine nuns. He granted them this plot of land in the newly developed “Cittá Nuova,” Turin’s first expansion project aimed at transforming it into a capital worthy of envy. The church’s design, often credited to Francesco Lanfranchi, is a fascinating example of early Counter-Reformation architecture. Notice how the central square space extends into semi-circular chapels and a larger presbytery? This design, emphasized by the towering pilasters and encircling entablature, guides your eye towards the magnificent dome. And what a dome it is! Painted in the 1760s by Michele Antonio Milocco, it depicts the glorious welcome of Saint Francis de Sales into heaven, with the theological virtues gracing the pendentives. This heavenly scene ties beautifully with the smaller paintings that used to adorn the nave. They depicted individuals achieving salvation through those same virtues, highlighting the church’s role as a visual catechism. Speaking of visual stories, step inside and look towards the high altar. See the captivating painting of the Visitation? That’s the work of Ignazio Nepote, replacing an earlier one by Luigi Vannier. It’s a fitting tribute, wouldn’t you say, given the church’s name – Chiesa della Visitazione?