Description of the attraction
The Church of Santi Nazaro e Celso stands on Corso Giacomo Matteotti in Brescia at the intersection with Via Fratelli Bronzetti. The building houses a number of outstanding works of art, the most famous of which is the "Polyptych of Averoldi" - a masterpiece of the great Titian.
The original building of the Church of Santi Nazaro e Celso was erected in 1239 at about the same place as the present building, on the territory that was part of the city-walled Brescia. In 1746, large-scale reconstruction work began here, as a result of which a majestic neoclassical facade crowned with a statue was created, which today attracts the attention of tourists. The reconstruction was interrupted by an explosion in a powder depot in the nearby Porta Nazaro area. Only in 1780, services were resumed in the church. And 17 years later, the collegiate church was abolished, but Santi Nazaro e Celso still remained a parish church for some time. In 1803, an organ by Luigi Amati was even installed there.
Undoubtedly, the main attraction of the Church of Santi Nazaro e Celso is the "Polyptych of Averoldi" by Titian. The creation of this canvas was entrusted to the great painter by the papal legate in Venice, Altobello Averoldi in 1522. During those years, Titian was the main artist of the Venetian Republic. A huge polyptych was placed above the main altar of the church in place of the altarpiece of Vincenzo Fopp.
In addition to this canvas, the church houses several other works of art, including works by Moretto from the 16th century, Paolo da Cailin the Elder, Antonio Gandino, Gianbattista Pittoni, Francesco Polazzo, Lattanzio Gambara and others.
