Basilica di San Nicola a Tolentino
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of Saint Nicolas of Tolentino is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica
that is part of the Augustinian monastery in the hill-town of Tolentino
, province of Macerata
, Marche
, central Italy
. The church is a former cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tolentino
, suppressed in 1586.
It contains architecture and art from the 14th through the 17th century. The imposing marble facade of the church was constructed over the centuries, and was completed in the 17th century.
chapel that opens to the cloister with enveloping early-14th century, Giottesque frescoes, attributed variously to the Master of Tolentino, the Master of the Magi of Fabriano, or Pietro da Rimini
, depicting scenes from the life of the St. Nicholas of Tolentino and biblical episodes. The saint's tomb lies in the crypt. The frescoes appear to have been completed within a few decades of the saint's death in 1305. The main altarpiece in the basilica is by Marchisiano di Giorgio (1518–1526) .
Other paintings depict the Mystical night of St. Catherine of Alexandria with Saints Nicola and Anthony of Padua by Simone de Magistris
, the Apparition of the Madonna of Loreto to San Nicola attributed to Antonio Francesco Peruzzini. A San Nicola da Tolentino attributed to Simone de Magistris
. Other paintings are attributed to Guercino and Rossellino.
Burials include that of St. Nicholas of Tolentino.
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
that is part of the Augustinian monastery in the hill-town of Tolentino
Tolentino
Tolentino is a town and comune of about 20,000 inhabitants, in the province of Macerata in the Marche region of central Italy.It is located in the middle of the valley of the Chienti.-History:...
, province of Macerata
Province of Macerata
The Province of Macerata is a province in the Marche region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Macerata.It has an area of 2,774 km², and a total population of 301,701 . There are 57 comunes in the province, see Comunes of the Province of Macerata.-External links:*...
, Marche
Marche
The population density in the region is below the national average. In 2008, it was 161.5 inhabitants per km2, compared to the national figure of 198.8. It is highest in the province of Ancona , and lowest in the province of Macerata...
, central Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The church is a former cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tolentino
Diocese of Tolentino
The Diocese of Tolentino was a Roman Catholic diocese in Italy from the fifth century until it was merged with the Diocese of Macerata-Tolentino in 1586.-External links:*...
, suppressed in 1586.
It contains architecture and art from the 14th through the 17th century. The imposing marble facade of the church was constructed over the centuries, and was completed in the 17th century.
Interior
The Cappellone di San Nicola is a GothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
chapel that opens to the cloister with enveloping early-14th century, Giottesque frescoes, attributed variously to the Master of Tolentino, the Master of the Magi of Fabriano, or Pietro da Rimini
Pietro da Rimini
Pietro da Rimini was an Italian early 14th-century painter.Pietro was born in Rimini, and worked mainly in Romagna and the Marche. Influenced by the style Giotto , he was likely a member of his workshop, although this has not been confirmed...
, depicting scenes from the life of the St. Nicholas of Tolentino and biblical episodes. The saint's tomb lies in the crypt. The frescoes appear to have been completed within a few decades of the saint's death in 1305. The main altarpiece in the basilica is by Marchisiano di Giorgio (1518–1526) .
Other paintings depict the Mystical night of St. Catherine of Alexandria with Saints Nicola and Anthony of Padua by Simone de Magistris
Simone de Magistris
Simone de Magistris was an Italian painter and sculptor.Born at Caldarola, Marche, he was the son of Giovanni Andrea de Magistris and Camilla di Ambrogio, and brother to Palmino and to Giovanfrancesco, both painters...
, the Apparition of the Madonna of Loreto to San Nicola attributed to Antonio Francesco Peruzzini. A San Nicola da Tolentino attributed to Simone de Magistris
Simone de Magistris
Simone de Magistris was an Italian painter and sculptor.Born at Caldarola, Marche, he was the son of Giovanni Andrea de Magistris and Camilla di Ambrogio, and brother to Palmino and to Giovanfrancesco, both painters...
. Other paintings are attributed to Guercino and Rossellino.
Burials include that of St. Nicholas of Tolentino.