“Is that a Roman sarcophagus?” someone asks. Indeed. Before us stands Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire. It is a testament to faith and history in Romagnano Sesia. Its story stretches back centuries.
The original church likely appeared in the Carolingian era around the 9th century. A document mentions it in 1008. At that time, it was connected to the Benedictine abbey of Santa Croce. A later mention appears in 1040.
In the 16th century, the church was rebuilt with three naves. It was remodeled again in 1692. A fire severely damaged the building in 1845. The decision was made to rebuild it. The work was completed in 1856. Today the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire stands as a symbol of resilience.
Look at the church’s exterior. The facade faces southwest. A broken triangular tympanum tops it. Lesenes divide the space. The main portal is in the center. It has a lunette above it. A protiro supported by Tuscan columns protects the entrance. Secondary entrances and rose windows flank the sides.
Above the facade rises the square-based bell tower. Orders of single-light windows decorate it. Each side of the belfry has a triple-light window. A hipped roof covers it. It is a distinctive feature of Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire.
Inside Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire Tuscan columns divide the space. They support the trabeation. Above this rises the barrel vault. The hall leads to the presbytery. It is raised by four steps. A semicircular apse encloses the space.
The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire holds several valuable works. The high altar is particularly noteworthy. It reuses a 5th-century sarcophagus. Also, a 1st-century cippus serves as an ambo.
Macrino d’Alba created the panel of the Madonna with Child in 1513. Bernardino Lanino painted the Ecce Homo around 1575. Lanino also created the canvas depicting Pentecost in 1577. These works add to the church’s artistic significance.
An interesting fact is that the altar is made from a paleochristian sarcophagus from the 5th century. The sarcophagus has architectural motifs on its front and back. The front depicts Christian martyrdom. The sarcophagus once held the relics of San Silvano.
The cippus, used as an ambo, dates to the 2nd or 3rd century AD. It once held the relics of Santa Felicita. The cippus features detailed decorations. These include twisted columns and Corinthian capitals.
Near the Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire, you can find the “Cantina dei Santi.” This building has fragments of 15th-century frescoes. The frescoes depict scenes from the life of King David. They offer a glimpse into local history.
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire is more than just a building. It is a repository of art, history, and faith. As you leave consider the layers of time. They are embedded in its walls and artworks. The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Silvano Martire stands a testament to the enduring spirit of Romagnano Sesia.