Beata Vergine della Misericordia Church

The Beata Vergine della Misericordia Church, affectionately known as ‘the Chiesa della Madonna (Church of Our Lady)’, is a veritable treasure trove of art and devotion.
In the early 17th century, it was embellished with works by some of the greatest Italian painters of the time: Lorenzo Franchini (Madonna del Rosario, 1602), Palma il Giovane (Crucifixion, 1614) and Lionello Spada (Nativity of the Virgin, 1616).

By the end of the 17th century, four of the seven altars had been further adorned with splendid altar frontals in polychrome scagliola, a fine example of Reggio Emilia’s finest craftsmanship.
Following the earthquake of 1806, the façade was raised, whilst the painted decoration of the façade, created in 1869 by the Reggio-based set designer Cesare Cervi, gave the church its current neoclassical elegance.
The two superimposed sections – Ionic and Corinthian – with pilasters, garlands and false niches, create a harmonious and theatrical ensemble.

Today, the church is owned by the municipality and hosts exhibitions, classical music concerts and solemn religious services, becoming a place where sacred art blends with the cultural life of the local area.
The harmony of its proportions and the interplay of perspectives make it an unmissable stop in the heart of Castelnovo di Sotto.