Contrada della Re...

The quarter takes its name from the town hall which overlooked the town square, where stood the “arengo” or “regio”, a balcony from which public speakers called the Loverese heads of household. It was recognized as the highest self-government body of the town.

“Arengo” and “regio” later came to mean the ancient municipal building, then the whole surrounding quarter.

The town hall was the place where the meetings of the town council and civil and criminal hearings were held, it was also the seat of the municipal offices.

Near the town hall stood the official residence of the town chief magistrate and the civic tower, which has been provided with a clock and a bell since the 15th century. On the tower side overlooking the square there were some frescoes which were later removed and partly replaced with some copies.

Nearby stood a column known as “the column of infamy” with a chain and a collar hanging on it. It was used as pillory. Indeed, the town chief magistrate pronounced also death sentences and even executions by hanging were carried out in the square.

In the 15th century the Juvenis de Celeri, Celeris de Curtibus, Rossechi de Madassis, Gaioncelli, Bossis, Bazzini, della Plaza, Fabis de Capriolo, Bolis, de Terzo, de Gavazis de Pradalunga (known as “Sbardellati”) families lived in this quarter.

ST. GEORGE’ S CHURCH
SANCTUARY OF LOVERE SAINTS
SOCA TOWER
ST. CLARA’S CHURCH - & FORMER ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH
ST. MARY’ BASILICA IN VALVENDRA
ST. JOHN’S SANCTUARY ON MOUNT CALA


ST. GEORGE’ S CHURCH
Lovere provostal church was built at the end of the 14th century over the previous medieval tower Soca. It houses a magnificent painting placed on the inner by the Flemish painter Jean de Herdt (1657). The altar-piece of the left altar painted by G. Paolo Cavagna (1556-1627) and the altar-piece of the high altar attributed to Jacopo Palma il Giovane (1544-1628) deserve special mention.

SANCTUARY OF LOVERE SAINTS
The sanctuary is dedicated to Christ, King of the Virgins, and it was consecrated by the bishop of Brescia in 1938. It was built in honour of the Loverese Bartolomea Capitanio and Vincenza Gerosa, who were canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950. The mosaics and symbols along the porticoed entrance stairs represent the Beatitudes and the Works of Mercy in harmony with the charitable aims of the Congregation “Sisters of Charity” (nowadays known as “Sisters of Holy Child Mary”), which was founded in Lovere by the two saints in 1832. The Congregation spread over many countries not only in Europe, but also in Asia, America and Africa.

Info: tel. +39 035.960147

SOCA TOWER
It dates back to the XIII-XIV centuries. It was originally one of tower-houses belonging to the family of the Celeri, but since it had got partly destroyed during the period of medieval communes, it was later included in the apse of the Church of St. George.

ST. CLARA’S CHURCH - & FORMER ST. MARTIN’S CHURCH
The oratory, dedicated to the Bishop of Tours, was erected outside the ancient defensive wall which surrounded the village, in the “Borgo”, and along the road leading to Camonica Valley. It was built according to the will of the Monks of Tours and it now lies next to the Monastery of St. Clare of the XVI century, which hosts the cloistered daughters of St. Claire. It was later abandoned because it was too small and in 1636 the Bishop Vincenzo Giustiniani, during a pastoral visit, ordered its closure. It was restored in 1980, which allowed to save some of its artistic heritage, among which the frescoes of the apse and the holy stone of the original medieval altar.
It lies near the 9th-century A.C. St. Martin’s, which is said to be the oldest church in Lovere, and it has been housing some enclosed Poor Clare Sisters for more than 450 years. It dates back indeed to the early 1500s.

ST. MARY’ BASILICA IN VALVENDRA
The imposing St. Mary’s Basilica in Valvendra (246 x 82 ft) was built in the river-bed of a stream, the Val Vendra, from which it took its name, between 1473 and 1483, a particularly prosperous period for Lovere.
The Basilica is in Renaissance style, with Venetian influences. The interior has a nave and two aisles, divided by twelve columns, with chapels along the left side. The most valuable work of art is represented by the large panels of the organ. Its exterior exhibits an Annunciation painted by Ferramola, while its interior shows equestrian portraits of the patron saints of Brescia, painted by Antonio Bonvicino, known as “il Moretto”.

ST. JOHN’S SANCTUARY ON MOUNT CALA
St. John’s Sanctuary on mount Cala was built at the end of the 14th century probably on the remains of a Medieval fortress belonging to the noble Celery family. The church underwent a radical transformation in 1606 and has remained the same since then.
Featuring a semi-circular window facing towards the west in the upper part of the façade, the front of the Sanctuary has a fully-enclosed porch except for the arched main door with an iron gate.
Inside the church, the nave has four side altars in marble dedicated to St. Rocco, St. Carlo, St. Fermo and the Virgin of Hope. The altarpiece behind the main altar is a valuable work of art by Antonio Cifrondi from Clusone (17th century).