Church of Santa Pelagia

The Church of Santa Pelagia, located in via San Massimo in Turin, represents a precious example of Piedmontese Baroque architecture. Its construction began in 1769 at the request of the Augustinian nuns, based on a design by the architect Filippo Nicolis di Robilant. This church is a true gem of Turin Baroque, with a history that intertwines religious devotion and sublime art. The building is located in a historically rich urban context, among the Baroque architectural complexes of Turin. The nuns decided to build their convent and church as early as 1728, with an initial project drawn up by Filippo Juvarra, one of the most famous architects of the period. However, it was only in 1769 that construction began according to Nicolis di Robilant’s final design, with the church consecrated on September 21, 1772 by Archbishop Rorengo di Rorà, although the liturgical setup works continued for a few more years. The church’s facade is characterized by a portico with four Ionic columns supporting a triangular pediment. This majestic entrance leads to an interior that combines Baroque and pre-Neoclassical elements, with an overall effect of great elegance and brightness. The central plan of the church is enriched by four elliptical spaces that form the entrance, the two side chapels, and the presbytery. The latter, deeper, houses the nuns’ choir, a large semi-oval room that now serves as an auditorium and theater. One of the most fascinating elements of the church is the choir, decorated with double rows of walnut stalls and topped by a richly decorated wooden balcony. Here is a large altarpiece by Vittorio Amedeo Rapous, depicting Blessed Amadeus of Savoy among beggars, interceding with the Virgin with Saint Philip Neri and Saint Vincent de Paul. This work, donated in 1780 by Victor Amadeus III, represents a perfect synthesis of religious devotion and charitable commitment, reflecting the spiritual legacy of the Counter-Reformation. The three altarpieces by Vittorio Blanchery, a disciple of Beaumont, are equally noteworthy. The altarpiece of the main altar depicts the Virgin crowning Saint Pelagia with Saints Augustine and Monica, while the altarpieces of the side altars depict Saint Francis de Sales in contemplation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and Saint Aloysius Gonzaga supported by an angel in contemplation of the Crucifix. These works, with their mystical and devotional themes, reflect post-Tridentine spirituality and iconography. The Church of Santa Pelagia has undergone various restorations over the centuries. The first significant restoration intervention dates back to 1931, but the church suffered serious damage during an air raid in 1943, when a bomb destroyed part of the roof and the vault of the apse, damaging the floor and some paintings of the main altar and the left side chapel. Between 1998 and 2008, the church underwent a comprehensive restoration that restored its ancient splendor. Today, the church is managed by the Opera Munifica Istruzione, an institution that derives from the “Mendicità Istruita,” founded to provide educational assistance to the poor. The choir’s auditorium regularly hosts cultural and musical events, continuing to play a vital role in the Turin community.