In Godiasco, next to Palazzo Malaspina Pedemonti, in Piazza Cagnoni, is the ancient church dedicated to San Siro and Santa Reparata.
History of the Church of Godiasco
It dates from the 16th century but was built on the remains of an older church dating from the 12th century. In 1561 it was enlarged and provided with an elevated passage, used by the Malaspina family as a direct link from the palace to the church, where the nobles attended mass every day. The church had many altars, but it lacked a sacristy and a baptistery. The parish priest lived in Rome and the parish was administered by a vicar.
On 8 June 1727, during a summer storm, a bolt of lightning struck the bell tower, killing the bell-ringer and transferring its force to the church, which suffered damage to its foundations. Many years of work were needed before the church could be reopened for worship.
Art and Architecture
The building has a single nave with a rectangular floor plan, flanked by two lower bodies: a smaller nave on the left and an entrance pronaos on the main front. It is made of solid plastered masonry. On the right side of the church, at the level of the presbytery, there is an arch that supports the raised corridor that connects the church to the palace.
The building is now owned by the town council, which uses it for exhibitions. The old bells are preserved in the basement.
