SHARRYLAND
Basilica of Santa Giulia
A fascinating Romanesque church with no ceiling and no floor, and with the walls halfway up
Where is
What it is and where it is
Have you ever seen a half-finished church? Not one of those that doesn't have a beautiful facade because they never finished it, nor one of those with all the walls but no roof. Here we are really talking about half a church: as if the front of it has been cut off. If you have never seen it and are curious, drop by Bonate di Sotto: the Basilica of Santa Giulia is waiting for you!
Why it is special
The Basilica of Santa Giulia is amazing, so much so that today it is one of FAI's places of the heart. It is located in the cemetery of Bonate di Sotto. A few small tombstones and crosses among the grass anticipate the wonder: a sheared span, with exposed masonry, and pillars and arches that still look surprised to be there, naked. And just beyond the space of the last remaining bay is the apse, proudly displaying its 18th-century frescoes. It seems to be in a place forgotten by time, charming and serene.
A bit of history
Built in the 12th century as the church of a town that no longer exists, razed to the ground for its opposition to the power of Bergamo, Santa Giulia is now in the cemetery area of Bonate di Sotto and is used as a cemetery church. It was originally a church with three naves, divided by eight pillars delimiting five bays. Currently one, the first, remains, with the apse part almost intact, apart from a raising of the central apse that occurred in the 1700s.
Why it is special
To add a touch of strangeness to the whole, just focus one's attention on the details of the church. Everywhere you see stones of various types, columns differing in shape and color, Latin inscriptions inconsistent with the place--all because the church was built with salvaged materials. The capitals, however, are the original ones and feature stylized floral motifs and monstrous animals. At the back of the church the apses are crowned with hanging arches, one has two curious carved faces.
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Enter the Map of Italy's Undiscovered Wonders and find treasures where you least expect it... Inspire, Recommend, Share...
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