Basilica di San Fedele

In the heart of Como's historic center lies the Basilica di San Fedele, a magnificent example of Romanesque architecture and a testament to centuries of religious devotion and artistic achievement. This basilica, dedicated to Saint Fedele, an evangelist and martyr of the third century, stands on the site of an earlier 7th-century church dedicated to Saint Euphemia. The current structure, with its rich history and stunning artistry, draws visitors from around the world to marvel at its beauty and significance.

The Historical Significance of Basilica di San Fedele

The origins of the Basilica di San Fedele date back to the 5th or 6th century, with its initial dedication to Saint Euphemia. By 965, the church had taken on its current dedication following the discovery of what were believed to be the remains of Saint Fedele. The basilica has undergone numerous transformations over the centuries, reflecting the evolving architectural styles and the city's dynamic history.

Originally, the church may have been a single-nave structure with a bi-apsidal transept, or it might have featured three naves, each ending in an apse. This uncertainty adds an element of mystery to the basilica's past. What is certain, however, is that the church was significantly renovated starting in 1007, with further modifications occurring in subsequent centuries. These included the addition of a barrel-vaulted ceiling in the central nave and the construction of matronea and tribunes between the 14th and 15th centuries.

Architectural Marvels

The Basilica di San Fedele as it stands today dates back to 1120 and showcases the Romanesque style. The facade, redesigned in 1914 by Antonio Giussani, features a double-gabled structure with a central nave and a smaller right-side nave. The main portal is adorned with a modern mosaic lunette depicting Jesus as the Teacher, created by Elena Mazzeri in 1968. Above the portal, a large circular rose window from the 16th century, recovered from the previous facade, adds a touch of historical continuity.

The bell tower, situated to the left of the facade, is a patchwork of historical periods. Its lower part dates back to 1271, while the upper section was reconstructed in 1905 due to structural concerns. The tower, which replaced an earlier one destroyed in the earthquake of 1117, features a square plan with two orders of windows: biforas on the lower level and triforas on the upper level. The bell tower houses a set of three bells tuned to G major.

Exploring the Interior

The interior of the Basilica di San Fedele is a cross-shaped Latin plan with three naves, each divided into four bays and lined with high matronea. The central nave, in Baroque style, is covered by a barrel-vaulted ceiling adorned with frescoes and supported by Corinthian pilasters. The transept features two pentagonal apses with ambulatories.

The right transept's grand marble altar houses a papier-mâché Crucifix and is crowned by an apse fresco by Isidoro Bianchi, dating back to 1623. This fresco, depicting the Glory of Paradise, includes a central scene of the Trinity with Mary, surrounded by saints, bishops, and angels. The walls of the transept are embellished with stucco decorations by Diego Carloni, while his brother Carlo Innocenzo Carloni painted four canvases depicting scenes from the Passion of Christ.

The left transept is dedicated to the Madonna and mirrors the structure of the right transept. Its marble altar is topped by a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary and an apse fresco depicting the Assumption of the Virgin, a collaborative work by Giovanni Domenico Caresana and Francesco Carpano. The surrounding frescoes, created by the workshop of Procaccini, illustrate the Nativity, the Annunciation to the Shepherds, and the Adoration of the Magi.

Medieval Frescoes and Chapels

Medieval frescoes can still be seen in the apse behind the presbytery, the southern ambulatory, and the left transept. These include a 13th-century depiction of Saint Bartholomew blessing and 11th-12th century scenes of the Baptism in the Jordan and the Madonna in a Mandorla.

Among the chapels, the first on the right stands out with its Baroque stucco ceiling and a 1504 fresco triptych by Giovanni Andrea De Magistris, depicting the Madonna enthroned with Child between Saints Sebastian and Roch. This chapel also houses an urn that once contained the remains of Saint Amantius, bishop of Como, now relocated to the Church of the Gesù. The next chapel commemorates Pope Innocent XI and Blessed Giovannina Franchi, both baptized in San Fedele.

The Organ and Its Music

The basilica is also home to the Mascioni organ, opus 560, built in 1941 and later restored and expanded in 2000. This electronic transmission organ features three keyboards and a pedalboard, with its pipes distributed across three different locations within the church. The Grand Organ and Pedal are situated in the left matroneum, the Positive in the right apse wall, and the Expressive in the left apse wall.

The Basilica di San Fedele is not just a place of worship; it is a journey through time, offering a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Como's religious and artistic heritage. Each stone, fresco, and architectural detail tells a story, inviting visitors to explore and reflect on the centuries of history that have shaped this remarkable basilica.