Church of San Giovanni Evangelista
Church of San Giovanni EvangelistaContrada San Giovanni, 12 - Brescia BSwww.diocesi.brescia.it
In the heart of the historical centre, San Giovanni Evangelista, or St John the Evangelist, is a church that has survived centuries and transformations.
Here, faith and art have always coexisted. And frescoes and canvases by Romanino and Moretto in the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament are proof of this.
HISTORY
The history of the Church of San Giovanni Evangelista goes back to the 4th century, when bishop Gaudentius founded the third basilica in Brescia, the Concilium Sanctorum. Destroyed by barbarian invasions, it was soon rebuilt and dedicated to Saints John the Baptist and John the Evangelist.
After two fires, a new reconstruction began in 1151. The following centuries saw the arrival of the Canons regular who followed the rule of St. Augustine; the building of a hospital, and the church entrance located in the city walls.
The real breakthrough came between 1440 and 1447: new cloisters, new forms, and a period of splendour with the Canons of San Salvatore of Venice.
In the 17th century, the building was given a new look: Girolamo Quadri transformed it in the baroque style.
Since 1771, it has been in the care of the diocesan clergy, and in 2008-2009 the façade and the Chapel of the Santissimo Sacramento, or Blessed Sacrament, were restored to their original splendour.
A church that changes, but remains faithful to its history, like Brescia.
DESCRIPTION
The façade, in Gothic style with Renaissance influences, is reminiscent of that of Santa Maria del Carmine: red brick, white stone, a large window that replaced the rose window and a stone portal attributed to Filippo Grassi. On either side are two noble tombs: one in terracotta belonging to the Maggi family and one in marble of the Paitone family. The Romanesque bell tower, with alternating stone and brick, completes the exterior profile.
The church interior follows a Latin cross plan with three naves and five pillars on each side. The pillars, originally made of terracotta, have been incorporated into stone structures. The transept is barely noticeable and is positioned close to the presbytery, below a central dome. The gabled roof has given way to a barrel vault, while the polygonal apse is one of the few elements that remains faithful to the original layout.
Here, every stone is a fragment of history. And every detail continues to tell of Brescia, in its own way.