Loggia di San Sebastiano (Ovada)

Buildings of historical importance

Loggia di San Sebastiano (Ovada)

Category: Buildings of historical importance

The Loggia di San Sebastiano, the oldest building in Ovada, is what remains of the ancient medieval collegiate church built around the year one thousand. An initial series of restoration work recently carried out have brought to light valuable frescos and so today the loggia is used as a show space for exhibitions as well as a spot for conventions and conferences. Popular tradition says that in the original church San’Ambrogio, Bishop of Milano, preached. Thanks to an inscription on a stone at the base of the bell tower, we known with certainty that restoration works on the building, as well as embellishing, were finished in 1391. With the passing of time however, the structure so irreparably deteriorated that in 1791, the bishop of Acqui decided to close it. The church was deconsecrated, the dismantled furnishings went to other seats, and three large arched openings were made in the outer walls turning the building into a public loggia. Between the end of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th century, it was used as a covered fruit, vegetable, and silk cocoon market; later, in underwent its first series of restoration work which brought to light ancient and valuable frescoes. The place, adequately equipped, was set up as a hall for conferences, conventions, exhibits, and shows.

Information

Via San Sebastiano – 15076 Ovada (Al)
Tel. +39.0143.821043
www.ovada.net