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The quarter takes its name from a tower which was built in the 14th century. In the past it was called “Socha tower” (“Socha” means “cut” in the local dialect) and was an undivided property of all the branches of the Celeri family, one of the most leading noble associations in Lovere, which had its representative seat just here. Around the middle of the 15th century it was partly demolished in order to enlarge the St. George’s parish church above.

In the 15th century the Sapoldis de Parma, de Bonaldis, Bertolais, Bossis and Bertolais de Frigidis families lived in this quarter.

SOCA TOWER
THE CIVIC TOWER
ST. GEORGE’ S CHURCH
THE TOWER OF THE ALGHISIS
SANCTUARY OF LOVERE SAINTS
ST. MARY’ BASILICA IN VALVENDRA
ST. JOHN’S SANCTUARY ON MOUNT CALA


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.

THE CIVIC TOWER
It was rebuilt during the XIX century. On the tower there’s a clock and a fresco of a lion, symbol of the Venetian rule, bearing the date 1442.
The fresco below is a false, a part of the original fresco beeing now kept in the office of the town hall while the other part got destroyed.
The Civic Tower, which dates back to the XIV century, lies on the remains of the castle of the Celeri family.

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.

THE TOWER OF THE ALGHISIS
It’s a tower dating back to the XIII century which is also called, according to the Statute of Lovere of 1650, the tower of the family of the Suoli. In other historical documents it is mentioned as the tower of the family of the Buosi, which probably meant of the family of the Bosio. No historical reference to the family of the Alghisi in relation to this tower located in via Matteotti has yet been found.

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

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).