The sanctuary of San Vincenzo stands in Cernobbio’s historic centre, on the lakeshore, facing piazza Tolomeo Gallio: it has 12th-century origins and an 18th-century rebuilding, and until 1935 it was the village’s parish church.
History
The church is dated to about 1150; Bishop Ninguarda’s visit, in 1593, describes it as a small, modest building (Como e il suo Lago). Rebuilding lasted from 1758 to 1775: Bishop Mugiasca consecrated it on 25 July of that year. The Baroque facade, white and red, dates from 1861 and carries the signature of the Milanese architect Giacomo Bussi, with a contribution from Monsignor Gianorini; in 2005 the bell tower, vault and facade were restored. From 1935 the parish passed to the new church of the Santissimo Redentore (bisbino.it).
What to see
The hall is a single nave and the presbytery is square, with the central part of the vault higher than the rest. On the left rises the 18th-century bell tower, with a tall plinth and a four-pitched roof. The facade, stepped and rich in terracotta decoration, has a portal topped by a half-curved pediment with angels in bas-relief, and in the side niches the statues of Saints Constantine and Hippolytus (UPEL, Como e il suo Lago).
The interior has stuccoes, Corinthian capitals and faux marble decoration. On the vault a Glory of Angels and the four Evangelists are frescoed, according to Como e il suo Lago the work of Lietti and Torildo Conconi, while the arch shows the seven sorrows of Mary; in the presbytery are a Holy Trinity and scenes from the lives of Saints Vincent and Lawrence. The high altar, in gilded wood, is a copy of the original work, destroyed by a fire in 1978, which had four painted panels attributed to the school of Tiepolo; in the central niche is a 17th-century statue of the Madonna of the Rosary. The two side altars, in polychrome marbles, have a plaster statue of Our Lady of Sorrows and a simulacrum of Saint Martha, which UPEL dates to the start of the 18th century. Also noted are a 16th-century processional cross, a goldsmith’s masterpiece by Francesco Ser Gregorio, the Bernasconi organ on the inner facade, the statues of Saint Abbondius and Saint Ambrose of 1863 and the wooden choir, confessional and walnut cabinet in the sacristy, of the 18th century.
Practical information
- The patron, Saint Vincent the martyr, is celebrated on 22 January; in the church the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows is also celebrated, in September (bisbino.it).
- We found no official source for opening hours: it is best to ask the Beata Vergine del Bisbino Pastoral Community.
- The Santissimo Redentore is today’s parish church.
Sources
- UPEL Italia, Chiesa di San Vincenzo, Cernobbio
- Como e il suo Lago, La chiesa di San Vincenzo a Cernobbio
- Comunità Pastorale Beata Vergine del Bisbino, Parrocchia Santissimo Redentore
- Wikipedia, Santuario di San Vincenzo entry.
