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Basilica Del Santo, San Marino

Natally Shirlton

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Building commenced in 1826 using the designs of the architect from Bologna Antonio Serra at the site of the old parish that was demolished to make way for the new one. This fact was a great offence to the history of art because it saw the cancellation of one of the first ever Christian monuments in Italy of a pre-romanesque style. The actual basilica that was consecrated in 1855, is of a neo-classic style with a porch of Corinthian columns. The solid bell tower that was already Romanesque was re-built in the year 600. The inside is made up of three aisles and seven altars, on the left side of the high altar you can admire the throne of the Regent Captains, work that was undertaken in the year 600; underneath the altar a small urn containing the bones of San Marino; on the right hand side is a marble monument with a silver casket that contains the upper part of the Saints cranium. Situated to the right of the basilica we find the little XVI century church of San Pietro, rearranged around about 1826. Entry is gained through the vestry or by means of a staircase that has been carved out of the bell tower of the high basilica.

The absis of the church of San Pietro is entirely formed of rock: chiselled out in it's formation are two holes that according to popular tradition were the sleeping places of San Marino and San Leo in which many believers attribute thaumaturgic properties. Upon the marble altar of the XVII century, donated by the roman musician Antonio Tedeschi in 1689, there stands the statue of S. Pietro, work of the sculptor Enrico Saroldi. In 1914 a crypt was built underneath the church to conserve the urn in which the bones of the Saint are resting.

The absis of the church of San Pietro is entirely formed of rock: chiselled out in it's formation are two holes that according to popular tradition were the sleeping places of San Marino and San Leo in which many believers attribute thaumaturgic properties. Upon the marble altar of the XVII century, donated by the roman musician Antonio Tedeschi in 1689, there stands the statue of S. Pietro, work of the sculptor Enrico Saroldi. In 1914 a crypt was built underneath the church to conserve the urn in which the bones of the Saint are resting. More info on: www.eurotravelling.net