Church of San Lorenzo

Via Palazzo di Città, 2. (Open Map)
(75)

Description

The ancient little church of Santa Maria del Presepio was restored in 1563 and dedicated to San Lorenzo by Duke Emanuele Filiberto to fulfil a vow made during the Battle of San Quintino on 10 August 1557.
The plans for the present church, built on the pre-existing structure, were entrusted in 1666 to Guarino Guarini who created one of his most significant works. In particular, the interior architecture and the dome constituted a turning point in the Baroque of Turin, while the main altar, an innovative masterpiece, is one of the most important in northern Italy. The façade designed by Guarini was never executed, but instead the church has the front of a public building.