Church of Santa Cristina

The Church of Santa Cristina in Turin, located in Piazza San Carlo, is a baroque masterpiece that embodies the rich artistic and religious history of the city. Its construction began in 1639, by the will of Maria Cristina of France, regent of Piedmont, in memory of her son Francesco Giacinto di Savoia. The initial design was entrusted to Carlo di Castellamonte, who worked on the project until his death in 1640, after which his son Amedeo di Castellamonte took over. The building, part of a larger urban expansion plan, was without a facade until 1715-1718, when Filippo Juvarra was commissioned to complete it. The facade designed by Juvarra is an example of Piedmontese baroque, characterized by an elegant central curvature and enriched with statues of saints, including Santa Cristina and Santa Teresa, sculpted by Giuseppe Salvatore Caresana. The statues originally planned by Juvarra were made by Pierre Legros, but were later replaced and the originals transferred to the Turin Cathedral.Inside, the church has a single nave with 18th-century baroque decorations. The barrel vault ceiling is decorated with floral stuccoes and angel figures, the work of Pietro Somasso, and frescoes depicting the martyrdom of Santa Cristina, created by Antonio Mari. The main altar, created by Ferdinando Bonsignore, is a sumptuous example of baroque, with polychrome marbles and intricate workmanship.The presbytery is marked by a round arch with the Savoy coat of arms and an elegant 18th-century balustrade. The ancient organ, located behind the altar, is a masterpiece by the Neapolitan organ builder Liborio Grisante, dating back to 1748. The side chapels, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Mary and St. Joseph, house works by artists such as Ferdinando Cavalleri and Antonio Domenico Triva.In 1802, with the Napoleonic secularizations, the church was transformed into a Stock Exchange and the adjacent convent was suppressed. Only with the Restoration, the temple was reconsecrated and embellished with new marbles and a main altar, still the work of Bonsignore. During the fascist period, with the reconstruction of Via Roma, the church underwent further transformations, losing some windows and seeing the apse almost completely rebuilt.An interesting anecdote concerns the celebration of Sunday Mass in the early afternoon, very popular among the servants of the surrounding noble families. This event gave the church the nickname “Church of the Servants”, emphasizing its role not only religious but also social.Despite the multiple transformations, the Church of Santa Cristina has retained its charm and historical importance. In 2017, a piece of cornice collapsed on the statue-fountain of the Dora in Piazza C.L.N., fortunately without causing any casualties. This incident drew attention to the need for maintenance and restoration interventions to preserve the integrity of the building.The church, together with its “twin” San Carlo, represents an example of urban symmetry and architectural harmony, delimiting the southern side of Piazza San Carlo and contributing to the aesthetic prestige of one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Its proximity to other historical and cultural attractions in Turin makes it easily accessible and visitable, placing it in a journey of discovery of Piedmontese baroque heritage.