San Giacomo

The Church of S. Giacomo is an exquisite example of late-Baroque architecture, remarkable because it has not undergone significant changes over the centuries and because it is built in a sober style. The current church was consecrated in 1784, but it has medieval origins. Documents tell us that in 1252 there was a “hospital” next to the church, entrusted to the Confraternity of the Templars, where hospitality was given to the numerous pilgrims headed for Santiago di Compostella. In the 18th century, the old church was in ruins, so it was demolished and rebuilt at the behest of the Cardinal of Tortona, Carlo Alberto Guidobono Cavalchini, as recalled by a plaque located inside, to the right of the balustrade of the high altar. The cardinal entrusted the reconstruction of the building to the Milanese architect Carlo Riccardi and the work began in 1770. The façade extends over the narrow space of via Lorenzo Perosi: it is adorned by a string-course cornice, Corinthian capitals carved in marble from Varallo, two stone statues of angels and the large stone coat of arms of Cardinal Guidobono Cavalchini (in light blue and gold bands, with a crowned black eagle), surmounted by the cardinal’s hat. The elegant interior is embellished with rich ornamentation that unfolds on the walls of the only nave. Characteristic features of the church are the choir stalls overlooking the nave and the side chapels from above, perhaps once reserved for the wealthier social classes. They are closed by a stone balustrade from Serravalle, with painted and gilded wooden gratings. The balustrade and altar of the two chapels are made from polychrome marble, stylistically attributable to a Lombard workshop of the mid-18th century.