Church San Rocco

The first building dates back to 1527, but towards the end of the 18th century, the Church of San Rocco was completely renovated. It houses paintings by Giovanni Brandi da Poli, from the workshop of Pietro da Cortona and, probably, from the workshop of Federico Barocci, as well as an organ from 1771 by the famous Paduan organ builder Gaetano Callido.

Upon entering the single nave, visitors are immediately struck by the richness of the decorations. The Baroque style, which followed the Renaissance, generated architectural forms that blended the two styles: columns, pillars, cornices, entablatures, and moldings were elements “borrowed” from classical ruins.

The splendor and ostentation of white and gold stucco and other forms of decoration were deliberately intended to evoke a vision of heavenly glory. Architects, sculptors, painters, and craftsmen were called upon to create an “art exhibition” in this church, capable of overwhelming with its splendor and attracting and persuading not only the illiterate, educating them with the words of God, but also the skeptical, who this time had “read too much.” Towards the end of the 18th century, the church was completely renovated and underwent a sort of “rotation.”

The entrance was transformed into an apse and moved to the right side after the high altar was moved. There are also paintings by Giovanni Brandi da Poli, from the workshop of Pietro da Cortona and, probably, from the workshop of Federico Barocci.

All the paintings, except for the one above the high altar, bear a wax seal, which was used to identify prestigious works destined to accompany Napoleon’s troops to France. On the wall opposite the high altar is the choir loft with a cabinet containing an organ dating back to 1771, built by the famous Paduan organ maker Gaetano Callido. The refectory of the ancient monastery can still be visited today, with its intact tables and walnut paneling.