Church of Saint Mary of the Announcement and Saint Blaise

Amazing Example of a medieval romanic Church. Beautiful Christian Community

Beautiful the ancient basilica of 1096, currently the main access is under renovation. The main apse with a blind gallery is very interesting. Unique in the province of Bologna. Unfortunately I have not seen the interior.

In Sala Bolognese stands the ancient parish church of S. Maria Annunziata and San Biagio, one of the most important monuments of Lombard Romanesque style that boasts the province of Bologna. It was rebuilt in 1096 on an early Christian church of the fourth century, built on the remains of a pagan temple. The Pieve was restored to its original appearance, which we admire today in 1920, by the Archpriest Can. Gaetano Botti, assisted by the architect Giuseppe Rivani. The interior of the church is a basilica with three naves separated by two columns clustered file with strict capitals of selenite. The ceiling has a wooden truss roof. Above the arch of the main apse basin, a fresco depicting the Angel's Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, attributed to the fifteenth century. By means of a large central staircase and two side stairways one enters the presbytery, where the main altar is located. The altar table is made of a marble slab where a pagan divinity head is sculpted with ram's horns, Jupiter Ammon, on which, by carving the effigy, the cross has been made. This pagan altar becomes a Christian altar with the exorcism of the cross, documented by the end of the pagan period and the transition to Christianity of the ancient population of Salento. The crypt below the presbytery, provided with three altars, showing the columns and pilasters as they were in the original location. In fact it has been restored as it was in ancient times following the traces of the arches and vaults surviving especially in the apse and in greater scale of the retaining wall. The crypt is certainly the most suggestive part of the Basilica. Under the painted arches (with the symbol of the early Christian era) in the twilight, the spirit gathers in silence and naturally opens to prayer. In the south aisle of the church is a walled sixteenth century plaque commemorating the restoration of 1517 carried out by the Canons Regular of St. Savior. In the opposite aisle, near the entrance door, the ancient baptismal font by immersion of red Verona marble is preserved. Modern mosaics of Byzantine inspiration are used to decorate the lunettes, with a S. Biagio inside the main door and the Virgin Orante in the door of the sacristy. The ceiling has a wooden truss roof. Above the arch of the main apse basin, a fresco depicting the Angel's Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, attributed to the fifteenth century. By means of a large central staircase and two side stairways one enters the presbytery, where the main altar is located. The altar table is made of a marble slab where a pagan divinity head is sculpted with ram's horns, Jupiter Ammon, on which, by carving the effigy, the cross has been made. This pagan altar becomes a Christian altar with the exorcism of the cross, documented by the end of the pagan period and the transition to Christianity of the ancient population of Salento. the cathedra and the wooden crucifix leaning from above, but all well suited to the Romanesque style of the church. The tuff ambo is decorated with Byzantine motifs. It is interesting to note in the parapet of the ambo the seal with the eagle of the Swabian empire.

Splendid Roman pre-conciliar Basilica a small jewel of art. Recently reopened after restoration following the earthquake. Worth a visit.

Beautiful church