Abbeys and churches
Chiesa di San Domenico (Alba)
Category: Abbeys and churches
Filled with history, the ancient church of San Domenico (Saint Dominic), recently restored, is one of the most significant spots in the city of Alba. Built around the end of the 13th century alongside the Dominican convent, it is one of the few examples of Primitive Gothic architecture in Piemonte. The building’s interior, divided into three naves with cylindrical columns topped by Romanesque capitals diverse in shape and size, is covered with a cross vault. During the Baroque Period, during one of the many reconstructions which the church has undergone through the centuries, the lateral chapels were added which, unfortunately, destroyed the precious 16th century frescos that decorated the walls. Today, the 14th-15th century frescos in the last bay of the nave on the left are still partially visible; to see what remains of those 16th century frescos, a trip to the Palazzo del Comune is necessary, where several fragments are kept. Also to be admired is the marble “Pieta” statuary group, a work by Leonardo Bistolfi from the first decade of the 20th century and dedicated to the memory of those fallen during the Alba Resistance between 1943 and 1945. San Domenico’s façade, harmoniously proportioned, is divided into three parts by pilasters and is characterized by a central rose window topped by a frescoed lunette. Today, the church hosts art exhibits and cultural events, and, now and then, concerts.
Information
Via Calissano - 12051 Alba (CN)
