Hidden amongst the charming streets of Cirié stands the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino a testament to history and faith. This isn’t just any church. It’s a living record of a community’s resilience. Its story begins long ago in 1158. An ancient parchment reveals Bishop Carlo of Turin entrusting the care of San Martino to the canons of San Bernardo.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino wasn’t always as it appears today. It passed from the Monastery of San Bernardo di Mongiove to the Abbey of San Michele della Chiusa in 1500. A Savoyard priest Don Guglielmo Paravise took over in 1502. He introduced the devotion to the Holy Shroud to the faithful. At that time the Shroud was still in Chambéry.
Then came the plague of 1600. The surviving inhabitants vowed to build a new church. They did. The old San Martino fell into ruin. Don Giacomo Filippo Joannini spearheaded the restoration in 1727 transforming its Romanesque style into Baroque splendor.
This wasn’t simply a renovation. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino’s location is unique. It sits on the western edge of the city walls built by Margherita of Savoy in the early fourteenth century. It straddles the territories of Ciriaco Liramo and Spinariano. In 1146 a document even refers to it as “ecclesiam sancti martini sita in spinariano”.
The church’s layout is fascinating. The central nave has a semicircular apse. This part dates back to the early eleventh century. It’s built from river stones and reused bricks. A smaller nave from the late thirteenth or early fourteenth century sits to the south. Its striped brickwork is exceptionally fine. A Baroque chapel adds to its charm. It’s attached to the Romanesque bell tower. This tower is remarkable with its seven decorated sections featuring arches. Openings like loopholes single and double windows lighten its structure.
A disastrous 1754 restoration added a door to the Romanesque apse. It was later sealed during the Bertea restoration. A new western apse was also built. It remains near the demolished Romanesque façade.
Inside traces of medieval frescoes remain. Later paintings layered over them tell a story of change and adaptation. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino is more than a building. Declared a national monument on April 5 1910 it stands as a symbol of faith perseverance and the enduring spirit of Cirié. This church is a captivating blend of architectural styles and a remarkable reflection of its rich past. Its story continues to resonate within its walls. A testament to faith. A masterpiece of history. A journey through time awaits those who venture inside the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino.