Discover Villa San Secondo

Villa San Secondo is best explored through its churches, their construction phases and local festival traditions. The Parrocchia dei Santi Matteo e Secondo stands on the hill where the original settlement was established, on the square named after Mons. Enrico Schierano. The churches reflect different periods of history: from a church that already existed in the 14th century to expansions in the 20th century. They also feature details of interior design, religious imagery and memories of Don Bosco's visits. The different dates can be understood as distinct milestones in the town's history.

Layout and furnishings of the parish church

The Parrocchia dei Santi Matteo e Secondo has an interior with a Greek-cross floor plan. This gives the space a cruciform layout. Stucco on the walls and pilasters complements the design, along with Corinthian capitals. Pilasters are flat, wall-attached architectural elements; capitals are the upper parts of columns or pilasters. The church's spatial form and interior decoration can thus be viewed as two distinct aspects. Together with its position on the hill where the original settlement was established, these features shape the character of the parish church.

The construction phases of Madonna delle Grazie

The Chiesa della Madonna delle Grazie was built in 1632 following a vow made during the plague. The present church dates to a renovation in 1700 and an extension in 1895. The reason for its construction and its original building date can therefore be distinguished from the later changes. The church also has pointed-arch windows with stained-glass depictions. The building history and the windows offer two different ways to understand Madonna delle Grazie: the sequence of its construction and alterations, and a specific detail of its design.

Early history and religious imagery

The Chiesa della Santissima Trinità already existed in the 14th century and was formerly dedicated to Saint Anthony. Behind the altar is an image of the Coronation of the Virgin, which also depicts Saint Anthony the Great and Saint Sebastian. Here, an early date and a precisely described image appear side by side. This distinguishes the church from Madonna delle Grazie, whose history is shaped above all by the dated construction phases of 1632, 1700 and 1895. Visitors interested in churches will find different ways to explore their history: a long-standing presence and a specific religious depiction.

San Carlo and the memory of Don Bosco

The Chiesa di San Carlo also has several construction phases. The original church dates from 1896; the present church was enlarged in the 1920s, opposite the original church. Its façade is eclectic in style and features a relief of Saint Charles Borromeo. At San Carlo, the building history and a specific façade detail can thus be considered separately. Another historical trace leads to Don Bosco: he stayed in Villa San Secondo several times, including in October 1859. A memorial stele in front of the church commemorates his pastoral work. His visits and the stele complement the building and art history with a personal remembrance.

The traditional double Sagra

Local festival traditions are also part of Villa San Secondo's character. At the October 2023 edition, Agnolotti d’oca and Apfelfriceu were part of the traditional double Sagra. The two dish names give the festival a specific culinary connection. For travellers interested in local festival cuisine as well as church architecture and local history, they offer another point of interest.

Discover more destinations: Baglio, Mongardino, Castello Di Annone, Castel Boglione, Cassinasco, Cortazzone, Tigliole, Gorra

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