The Church of St. John was the main church in Saluzzo (CN) until 1501. A splendid example of Gothic architecture, it fits harmoniously into the medieval borgo. A seat for Dominican monks since 1320, it has been altered many times over the centuries.
The sober façade dates to 1376. The bell tower also dates to the same time, it has a square base, five orders of double windows and an octagonal point with four pinnacles on the top. Inside, the church has three naves with cross vaults and is accessed by a stone staircase that separates the portal from the central nave.
Chapels are located along the side naves, including one dedicated to Saints Crispin and Crispinian and another decorated with a 15th century fresco cycle of the Passion of Christ. The pentagonal apse in green stone holds the funerary chapel of the Marquisate of Saluzzo, one of the most important examples of Flemish Gothic in Piedmont.
The left nave leads to a picturesque Gothic cloister. Commissioned in 1466 by Marquis Ludovico I, it has capitals bearing the crests of the most prominent families of Saluzzo. Opposite, the Cavassa chapel houses the funeral monument of the Galeazzo Cavazza Marquisate. The cloister provides access to the refectory which features the large, early 16th century Affresco della Crocifissione in addition to a splendid coffered ceiling.
Film Commission Torino Piemonte
Via Cagliari 42 — 10153 Torino
Phone: +39 011 2379201
Fax: +39 011 2379298
Email: info@fctp.it
