In the Baroque churches of Trentino

On Lake Garda and in Vallagarina

Frescoes that go beyond the boundaries of physical space, breaking through the walls and expanding the ceiling towards an infinite celestial vault. The plays of perspective in Baroque church paintings bridge the tangible and the spiritual world.

If the mountain churches of Val Rendena, Val di Non and the valleys in the eastern Dolomites are a hymn to a frugal and peasant sacredness, the churches on Garda and in Vallagarina bear witness to a majestic devotion, which becomes an affirmation of power.

Church of Santa Maria, Brancolino

This church, in a small hamlet in the municipality of Nogaredo, is a clear example of how, thanks to the technique of square perspective, Baroque frescoes can overcome the limits of physical space.

From the outside, the church seems a rather austere building, devoid of any clue that might suggest the richness of the mid-17th century paintings that decorate the vaults. Perspective illusions that make the interiors magnificent.

Before leaving, stop in front of the altar of Saint Anthony of Padua, in the noble chapel of the Lodron family, lords of these lands between the 15th and 18th centuries. A fine example of Baroque art, the altar is embellished by elegant black and white inlays.

Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Villa Lagarina

If the church of Brancolino stands out for the perspectives painted on the vaults, this majestic church in Villa Lagarina embodies another feature typical of late Baroque art and what came after it, the Rococo style. An extraordinary profusion of stucco, marble decorations and altars makes the churches of the 17th and 18th centuries sumptuous and rich in detail.

The Church of Santa Maria Assunta strikes you from the outside with its majestic architecture. The interiors do not disappoint expectations, welcoming you with a figurative splendour that strikes you at first glance.

The chapel of San Ruperto stands out among all the works of art. It was built around 1625 by the court architect of the Lodron family, Santino Solari, an architect who also worked on the construction of the Salzburg cathedral. The paintings in the chapel, which Florentine Arsenio Mascagni created using the particular oil on copper technique, are quite interesting.

Church of the Inviolata, Riva del Garda 

To visit one of the most important baroque churches in Trentino we go to Riva del Garda, right on the lake shores. The first thing that impresses you is the shape of the building, which appears square from the outside but octagonal inside.

The genesis of this church is also quite unique. At the beginning of the 17th century, the painter Bartolomeo Mangiavino decorated a capital outside the city walls with the portrait of a Madonna and Child. The citizens of Riva attributed miraculous powers to this work, including the saving of a child who fell from a cart and a girl who fell from a balcony.

The church, which stands out for its decorations, sumptuous stuccoes, frescoes and valuable works was built around the portrait between 1603 and 1639 by the governor of Riva and Arco, Giannangelo Gaudenzio Madruzzo and his wife Alfonsina Gonzaga, with the support of the bishop Carlo Gaudenzio Madruzzo.

Today the painting can be admired in the niche above the main altar. The church, which once stood outside the city, is a must-see for anyone visiting the historic center of Riva del Garda.