The precious religious complex of the Upper Bergamo, comprising the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Cathedral, also includes the Santa Croce Temple, which is currently almost concealed from view but used to have a very significant role for the city centre. The building is mentioned for the first time in a document dating back to 1133, which defines it as the “capella episcopi”: the bishop’s chapel.
What was the real function of this small temple? Linked to the old Palace of the Bishop, together with the Basilica, it used to be the Curia Hall, where the Bishop held audience.
It consists of two overlying structures, featuring a quatrefoiled plan and an octagonal plan respectively, and it recalls the central layout of other Romanesque buildings in Bergamo’s territory, such as San Tomè Round in Almenno San Bartolomeo, the basilica of Santa Giulia in Bonate and the Priory of Sant’Egidio in Fontanella, near Sotto il Monte.
Moreover, inside the temple you can also admire numerous medieval frescoes recently rediscovered, depicting some episodes of the life of Jesus.
The precious religious complex of the Upper Bergamo, comprising the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore and the Cathedral, also includes the Santa Croce Temple, which is currently almost concealed from view but used to have a very significant role for the city centre. The building is mentioned for the first time in a document dating back to 1133, which defines it as the “capella episcopi”: the bishop’s chapel.
What was the real function of this small temple? Linked to the old Palace of the Bishop, together with the Basilica, it used to be the Curia Hall, where the Bishop held audience.
It consists of two overlying structures, featuring a quatrefoiled plan and an octagonal plan respectively, and it recalls the central layout of other Romanesque buildings in Bergamo’s territory, such as San Tomè Round in Almenno San Bartolomeo, the basilica of Santa Giulia in Bonate and the Priory of Sant’Egidio in Fontanella, near Sotto il Monte.
Moreover, inside the temple you can also admire numerous medieval frescoes recently rediscovered, depicting some episodes of the life of Jesus.
