Church of Sant'Antonio alla Motta
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| Church of Sant’Antonio alla Motta | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The façade of the church | |
| Location | Varese |
| Country | Italy |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| History | |
| Founded | 1000 |
| Dedication | Saint Anthony the Great |
| Architecture | |
| Architect | Giuseppe Bernascone |
| Style | Baroque |
| Years built | 1593–1619 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Milan |
| Parish | Comunità Pastorale Sant'Antonio Abate |
The Church of Sant’Antonio alla Motta is a Roman Catholic Church located in Piazza della Motta, in Varese, Italy. It is known for hosting the annual ‘Falò di Sant’Antonio’, which is held on the night of 16 January every year.
The church was constructed in c. 1000, on land used as a market and as the tribunal for the seprio county, not far from Villa Mirabello. It was here that, during the medieval period, the Confraternita di Sant’Antonio was established. A chapel was then built.[1]
In 1593, Giuseppe Bernascone, an architect from Varese who had recently been entrusted with the construction of the nearby Basilica of San Vittore, was called upon to design and build a new church dedicated to Sant’Antonio, demolishing the previous one. Remnants of the previous chapel can be seen today.[2]
Construction began that same year, but due to the hilly terrain, the church could not be built facing east–west. Instead, Bernascone opted to construct it north–south. Due to the terrain, the flooring is slightly inclined from the apse to the portal. Construction of the dome began in 1606, and of the bell tower in 1619. Various sculptures and interior features were added in 1604 by Marco Antonio Bernasconi and the sculptor Sessa of Velate. The church is shaped like the letter ‘T’.[3]
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