In the heart of Godiasco, next to Palazzo Malaspina Pedemonti, is the ancient church dedicated to San Siro and Santa Reparata. The religious building, dating back to the 16th century, preserves the memory of a millennial history, having been erected on the remains of an older church dating back to the 12th century.
The direct passage from Palazzo Malaspina to the church
The church was enlarged in 1561, assuming the form and dimensions that we know today. It was also provided with an elevated passageway that served as a link between the Malaspina palace and the church itself. This passageway allowed the nobles of the Malaspina family to attend daily mass celebrations without having to leave the tranquillity of their palace. It was a tangible sign of devotion and privilege that characterised the life of the nobility of the time.
The interior
The interior of the ancient church was characterised by numerous altars. However, despite its splendour, the church of Santa Reparata e San Siro lacked a sacristy and a baptistery. The parish priest, curiously enough, lived in Rome, and the parish was run by a vice-priest who looked after the daily activities and pastoral needs of the community.
The church of Santa Reparata e San siro has a single nave with a rectangular floor plan, flanked by two lower bodies. On the left is a smaller nave, while the main front has an elegant entrance portico. The entire structure is made up of solid plastered masonry, which gives the building a sober beauty.
One of the most distinctive elements of the church is the archway on the right side, at the level of the presbytery. It plays an important role in supporting the raised corridor that connects the church to the palace. The passage, used by the Malaspina family for direct access to the church, still symbolises the close link between the local nobility and the religious life of the time.
The churchyard and the ancient cemetery
The present churchyard and part of the adjacent courtyard hold a secret from the past: they were once part of Godiasco's ancient cemetery. The honour of being buried within the church walls was a privilege reserved only for priests and nobles as a sign of recognition of their social and ecclesiastical importance.
The terrible lightning strike of 1727 and the rebirth
On 8 June 1727, during a violent summer storm, lightning ripped through the sky and struck the church tower. The tragic event caused the death of the bell-ringer and the church suffered extensive damage even in its foundations. The impact of the lightning was so devastating that a long period of work and effort was required to restore the church to its former majesty and reopen its doors for worship.
A valuable architectural heritage, the building is now owned by the town council and used for exhibitions and cultural events.
A precious treasure: the bells
Inside the church is an ancient and precious treasure: the original bells. These bells, which rang out to announce religious celebrations and important moments in the community, have been preserved on the floor as a tangible testimony of the past.
Santa Reparata e San Siro is a church that still brings local history alive. A history spanning centuries of faith, art and tradition. Its municipal ownership and its use for cultural exhibitions make it a place of meeting and discovery for the community.
