San Giovanni Battista, Pesaro

San Giovanni Battista is a church located on Via Passeri #98 in central Pesaro, region of Marche, Italy.

Façade

History

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Interior

The church was erected on the site of a former mausoleum constructed by Alessandro Sforza, and which was razed in 1536 by the Duke Francesco Maria I Della Rovere.[citation needed] The church and an adjacent convent were commissioned in 1543 by the Franciscan Minorites of Osservanza.[citation needed]

The original plan was by Girolamo Genga,[citation needed] but on his death in 1551, work proceeded under his son Bartolomeo, who died 7 years later.[citation needed] Paucity of funds, meant construction on the church continued till formal consecration in 1656.[citation needed] The facade remains unfinished.[citation needed]

The interiors underwent refurbishment in the 17th century, with the elimination of some of the lateral altars.[citation needed] The church housed tombs for many of the prominent families of Pesaro, including the Almerici, Antaldi, Baldassini, Gavardini, and Perticari.[citation needed]

The suppression of the Augustinians in 1860 expelled the monks, and in 1867, the convent was ceded to the city which used it for barracks.[citation needed] In 1975, it was again ceded to the frati Minori.[1]

An inventory from 1864 lists the following artworks in the nave and flanking chapels:[2]

  • Nativity with Adoration of Shepherds by a follower of Giulio Cesare Begni.
  • Santissima Annunziata di Firenze (1544) by Giovanni Battista Clarici.
  • Madonna and child with Saints Lucy, John the Baptist, and St Francis (19th century) by P. Atanasio of Rimini.
  • Dead Christ with Angels and Head of John the Baptist attributed to Marco Zoppo, found in sacristy.

References

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  1. ^ Text originally from testo liberamente tratto da: Giovanna Patrignani, Pesaro. La Radio storia della Città, Pesaro, 2008, pp. 66–67 . cited in Pesaro Cultura website.
  2. ^ Guida di Pesaro, pp. 150–152.
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