"San Giovanni Battista" church

The church, dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, has been built in about ten years starting from 1763, in place of the small church of the Madonna d'Oriente, annexed to the castle.

Kilns were set up on site, but much of the necessary material was brought by hand from the hamlet Ricca thanks to a human chain. Works were directed by the architect Carlo Francesco Rangone, based on a project by a pupil of Filippo Juvarra, who remained unknown.

The interior of the church, with a single nave and six side chapels, is in Piedmontese Baroque style with stucco and round arches. It is decorated with gold friezes and capitals with representations of evangelical scenes. Each painting has a liturgical path and all the work is by the Turin artist Rodolfo Morgari and the Alba painter Fedele Finatti. The church hosts also the following paintings: "The display of the Shroud" of Antonio Tempesta (gift from the House of Savoy), "The baptism of Jesus" by Beaumont, and six works by Claret. In the church there are statues and representations in fine wood that illustrate various Christian scenes and images.

The 1400 pipe organ, installed in 1888, and the stained glass windows representing the parabolas, created in 2000 by the master glassmaker Vigliaturo, based on designs by Libero Nada, are of great value.

- To find out more watch this video by Mario Proglio -