Church of San Pietro Martire

The Church of San Pietro Martire is a church in Vigevano, located near the southern wall of Castello Sforzesco, in the historical center of the town.

The church is also dedicated to San Cristoforo (Saint Christopher).

SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO MARTIRE

At the beginning of the 13th century, on the site of the current Church of San Pietro Martire, there was a small chapel dedicated to San Domenico (Saint Dominic).

Later, the chapel was replaced by a larger structure, completed around 1363.

The current church, dedicated to Saint Peter the Martyr, was built starting with 1445 and consecrated in 1480.

The annexed convent of the Dominican friars and the bell tower, with its imposing octagonal structure leaning against the right side of the apse, date back to the same period.

In 1840, the interior of the church was modified in Neo-Gothic style.

ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO MARTIRE

The facade of the church, in pure Lombard Gothic style, is divided into three parts corresponding to the naves, and surmounted in the central part by three pinnacles.

The central part of the facade is divided by four buttresses and has a sloping roof with the eaves decorated with small arches.

The Gothic portal is enclosed by a terracotta frame with a bas-relief added in 1969. Four Gothic-style windows open to the sides of the portal, which in turn is surmounted by a central rose window.

On the left side of the facade, a staircase leads to the secondary entrance, located in line with the transept.

Inside, the church has a Latin cross plan, with polystyle pillars, ending with a high polygonal choir with a crypt below, with two entrances on the sides of the raised presbytery.

ART OF THE CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO MARTIRE

In the transept, there are two chapels. On the right, there is the Chapel of the Crucifix, which houses a precious wooden sculpture from the second half of the 15th century.

On the left, in the Chapel of San Pietro Martire, there is a large 18th century altarpiece depicting the martyrdom of the saint.

In the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary, located along the side nave, there is a valuable wooden statue of the Madonna, dating back to the 17th century, surrounded by panels painted with the mysteries of the rosary.

In the Chapel of Pope Pius V, the central altarpiece depicts the saint in pontifical robes as he welcomes and blesses the little ones, the poor, and the infirm.

In the Chapel of the Holy Trinity, we can find an altarpiece which depicts the Coronation of the Virgin with Saints Christopher, Rocco and Sebastian, the work of Paolo Camillo Landriani.

HOW TO GET TO THE CHURCH OF SAN PIETRO MARTIRE

The Church of San Pietro Martire is located about 550 meters from the Vigevano railway station. To find the church on foot, use the map below.