Saint Francesco Borgia’s Church

Saint Francesco Borgia’s church is located in the scenic via Crociferi, next to the Saint Benedict’s one and to the former Jesuit college.

It was built around the eighteenth century and presents a linear neoclassical style, the facade is in white marble and is developing into two rows of columns following Angelo Italia’s project. It’s one of the few churches in the city to have three wide aisles with typical double columns, making it very bright.

Inside the construction, it was designed by the architect. Giuseppe Pozzi, it’s enriched with numerous frescoes dating from the eighteenth century, that decorate the walls, and marble statues representing St. Ignatius and St. Francesco Saverio. The high artistic value dome was painted by the famous Olivio Sozzi and represents issues related to the Jesuit order that commissioned work.

It’s said that in this church was baptized Vincenzo Bellini, because in 1801 the Cathedral was closed for restoration.

Nowadays it is managed by the “Soprintendenza Regionale ai Beni Culturali” and often houses cultural events.