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Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie
A place of faith, art and history in the heart of Bergamo. Discover the church, its artistic heritage, the devotion to the Santo Jesus and useful information for your visit.
The Church
The history of Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie began in the fifteenth century with the Franciscan presence in Bergamo. In 1422, Pietro d’Alzano donated land for the construction of a convent dedicated to Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The present church was built in the nineteenth century to a design by architect Antonio Preda. Construction began in 1857, and the new church was solemnly consecrated on 7 December 1875.
Designed in a Neoclassical style on a Greek-cross plan, the church preserves an important artistic and devotional heritage, with paintings, frescoes, sculptures and works connected with centuries of religious life in the city of Bergamo.
The Santo Jesus
The Santo Jesus is one of the most important devotional images preserved in the Church of Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie.
According to historical tradition, the image of Christ carrying the Cross was associated with miraculous events in 1544 and 1575. On 15 September 1608, two witnesses reported seeing the figure of Christ rise, while his red robe turned white with golden borders and the signs of the Passion appeared on his body. The image was thus interpreted as a representation of the Risen Christ.
In 1889, when the old chapel was demolished, the fresco was removed from the wall and transferred in solemn procession to the chapel where it is still preserved and venerated today.
Artistic Itinerary
Use the numbered plan of the church to explore its main artistic and devotional features.
External – Points 1–7
1. Facade
Neoclassical facade in the Corinthian order, designed on a Greek-cross plan by Antonio Preda (1856–1857).
2. Bell tower
Bell tower designed by Elia Pirovano (1928–1929), with a concert of eight bells in G-flat.
3. War memorial plaques
Commemorative plaques dedicated to those who died in the First World War (1915–1918), by D. Fornoni, and in the Second World War (1940–1945), by C. Comana.
4. Sculptural reliefs on the facade
Reliefs by C. Archenti, M. Clandestini, M. Faino, G. Manzoni and A. Paleni, dating from around 1906. Those on the left depict episodes connected with the foundation of the ancient church by St Bernardino of Siena in 1422; those on the right show scenes with saints.
5. Pronaos
Sandstone pronaos designed by E. Fornoni (1904–1906), incorporating columns recovered from the ancient church. At the top of the tympanum is Angels Carrying the Cross, by C. Archenti and M. Faino, circa 1906.
6. Bronze portal
The bronze portal is divided into three symmetrical panels depicting:
- the ancient church and convent of the Grazie with the Chapel of the Santo Jesus;
- the Immaculate Virgin and the Santo Jesus protecting the city of Bergamo;
- the Propylaea of Porta Nuova.
Work by C. Coter, 1939.
7. Above the entrance portal
The Immaculate Conception in a Meadow of Lilies with Angels and Saints, fresco by A. Spinelli, 1904.
Central Liturgical Hall – Points 8–19
8. Holy water fonts
Holy water fonts in carved red Verona marble, dating from the mid-nineteenth century.
9. Counter-facade
Above the counter-facade: The Expulsion of the Merchants from the Temple, fresco by G.B. Epis, 1867.
10. Paintings in the atrium niches
Oil paintings on canvas from the Lombard school, dating from the last quarter of the seventeenth century:
- A: Jesus among the Doctors of the Temple
- B: Mary Presented in the Temple
11. Hall cornice
Monochrome frescoes with Marian symbols and Gospel episodes concerning Mary, by A. Morgoli, 1866.
12. Medallions on the atrium vault
Frescoes by A. Guadagnini, 1866:
- A: Nativity of Mary
- B: Marriage of Mary
- C: Angels with a Marian Banner
13. Doctors of the Church
In the pendentives of the vault, The Doctors of the Latin and Eastern Churches Celebrating the Virgin Mary, frescoes by E. Scuri, 1867. Clockwise:
- A: St Augustine
- B: St Ambrose
- C: St Ephrem the Syrian
- D: St John Damascene
14. Marian virtues
In the intrados of the dome, stucco statues symbolising the Marian virtues: Faith, Hope, Charity, Temperance, Humility, Justice, Prudence and Fortitude, by L. Pagani, 1865–1867.
15. Dome
On the dome: The Triumphal Entry of Mary into the Glory of Heaven, fresco by E. Scuri, 1865–1866.
16. Pulpits
Pulpits for the proclamation of the Word and preaching, decorated with reliefs depicting the Tablets of the Law and the Gospel, dating from the mid-nineteenth century.
17. Confessionals
Carved wooden confessionals dating from the mid-nineteenth century.
18. Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross in carved and painted wood, by G. Manzoni, 1931.
19. Baptistery
Marble and mosaic decoration designed by D. Fornoni, 1932:
- A: Angel with a Cartouche, fresco
- B: Baptism of Jesus in the Jordan
- C: Crucifixion with the Trinity
Bronze sculpture: The Guardian Angel Presents the Baptised to God, by G. Siccardi, 1932–1933.
Left Transept – Points 20–23
20. Medallions on the vault
Frescoes by G. Carsana, 1866:
A: Mary and the Crucified Son, by E. Scuri, 1866
B: Dormition of Mary
C: Assumption of Mary
21. Left side altar
Left side altar by G. Fossati, 1870, with statues by Ceruti: a Prophet on the left and a Saint holding the Gospel on the right.
22. Altarpiece of Our Lady of Graces
Majesty of Our Lady of Graces Venerated by St Stephen, St Charles Borromeo and Devotees, oil on canvas by G. Cavagna, 1619.
23. Painting above the entrance to the Chapel of the Santo Jesus
Joseph in Prison Interpreting the Dreams of Pharaoh’s Cupbearer and Baker, oil on canvas by A. Zanchi, circa 1690.
Right Transept – Points 24–28
24. Medallions on the vault
Frescoes by L. Galizzi, 1866:
A: Annunciation
B: Visitation of the Virgin Mary to St Elizabeth
C: Triumph of Angels
25. Right side altar
Right side altar by G. Fossati, 1870, with statues by Ceruti: Moses on the left and King Solomon on the right. Relics of saints are preserved in the altar compartments.
26. Altarpiece of the Virgin of the Roses
Virgin of the Roses with St Francis and St Clare, oil on canvas by G. Cignaroli, 1752. The altarpiece was originally located in the church of the monastery of Santa Maria di Rosate, in the Upper Town of Bergamo.
27. St John XXIII
To the left of the altar: St John XXIII, Pope, Seated, oil on canvas by A. Capelli, 2001.
28. Painting above the altarpiece
Joseph Presented to Pharaoh, oil on canvas by A. Zanchi, circa 1690.
Presbytery – Points 29–35
29. Medallions on the vault of the first bay
Frescoes by F. Bergametti, 1866:
- A: Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
- B: Jesus among the Doctors of the Temple
- C: Angels Adoring the Sacred Heart of Jesus
30. Medallions above the High Altar
Frescoes by L. Galizzi, 1866:
- A: Allegory of the Kingship of Christ and Mary
- B: Musician Angels
- C: Triumph of Angels
31. Apse
The Proclamation of the Dogma of the Immaculate Conception by Blessed Pius IX, fresco by G. and G.B. Epis, 1866–1868.
32. Apse
The Expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden, fresco by C. Maironi, 1865–1866.
33. High Altar
Altar in sculpted polychrome marble, designed by E. Pirovano, with sculptures by C. and A. Paleni, consecrated on 7 December 1907. In the niche is a polychrome wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception, made by the sculptor Casati of Rome and blessed by Pope Leo XIII in 1878.
The bronze frieze depicts the Heroic Women of the Old Testament, by C. and A. Paleni.
34. Choir
Carved wooden choir by A. Gelpi, circa 1860.
35. Organ
Balbiani–Vegezzi Bossi organ, 1924, with electro-pneumatic action and thirty-seven stops. The Grand Organ is located in the right choir and the Recitative Organ in the left choir. The instrument consists of approximately 2,200 pipes, some of which may have been reused from the previous Serassi organ of 1882.
Santo Jesus Chapel – 36–49
36. Santo Jesus before the Transfiguration
Above the entrance portal: The Santo Jesus before the Transfiguration of 1608, with St Bernardino and St Francis, detached fresco attributed to F. Zucco, late sixteenth–early seventeenth century.
37. Vault of the first bay
Angels Carrying the Cross, fresco by G. Guglielmini, 1903.
38. Vault of the Chapel
Medallions with saints and sacred figures by G. Guglielmini, 1898:
- The Virgin Mary
- St Agnes
- St Aloysius Gonzaga
- Christ Crowned with Thorns
- St Charles Borromeo
- St Bernardino of Siena
39. First bay on the left
The Virgin and Child with St Vincent, St Alexander and St Fermo, oil on canvas, Lombard school, second half of the sixteenth century.
40. Sacred Heart
Wooden statue of the Sacred Heart by G. Manzoni, circa 1948.
41. First bay on the right
St Anthony of Padua, oil on canvas by A. Spinelli, circa 1900, and statue of St Anthony of Padua by C. Manzoni, circa 1900.
42. Stations of the Cross
Stations of the Cross, oil on copper, late nineteenth century, located in the first bay and atrium of the Chapel.
43. Second bay on the left
Holy Family, oil on canvas by A. Spinelli, 1900.
44. Second bay on the right
Madonna and Child with St Charles Borromeo and St Sebastian, oil on canvas by F. Salmeggia, 1627.
45. Third bay on the left
Madonna and Child in Glory with St Diego in Prayer, oil on canvas by E. Salmeggia, 1594.
46. Third bay on the right
Pietà with St Bernardino, St Francis, St Margaret of Cortona and St Benedict the Moor, oil on canvas by C. Adolfi, circa 1730.
47. Presbytery
Niches containing wooden statues of St Francis and St Margaret of Cortona, late nineteenth century.
48. Altar
Altar by G. and C. Caniana, 1761, in carved and partially gilded walnut wood, decorated with mother-of-pearl inlays and other precious woods. The altarpiece listed at point 26 was originally placed above this altar. On the altar is a statue of the Dead Christ by G. Manzoni, 1957.
49. The Santo Jesus
On the altar is the Santo Jesus, a detached fresco transferred here in 1889. The image, originally painted on the external wall of the convent, was miraculously transfigured on 15 September 1608.
Frescoes Chapel – 50–52
50. Frescoes from the ancient church
Frescoes by Giacomo de’ Scanardi (1489–1494) and Jacopino Scipioni (1508), originally from the ancient church of the Convent of the Grazie.
51. Fifteenth-century well
Well from the ancient convent, dating from the fifteenth century and approximately 11.50 metres deep.
52. Sacred Heart and Polyptych
Wooden statue of the Sacred Heart by G. Manzoni, 1948.
Reconstruction of the Polyptych of the ancient Church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, by Vincenzo Foppa, 1506.
Sacristy and Cloister – Points 53–54
53. Sacristy
Furnishings, ancient vestments and a gallery of portraits of the parish priests.
54. Fifteenth-century cloister
The only surviving part of the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, with a portico of round arches. The cloister preserves inscriptions and architectural and pictorial evidence of the ancient convent complex.
To visit the cloister, please contact the sacristy.
Key Dates
1422 – Pietro d’Alzano donated land to St Bernardino of Siena for the construction of the convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
1427 – The ancient church was solemnly consecrated.
1575 – The image of the Santo Jesus miraculously exuded blood; St Charles Borromeo encouraged devotion to the sacred image.
1608 – On 15 September, the Santo Jesus was miraculously transfigured.
1857 – Construction of the present church began, designed by Antonio Preda.
1875 – The new church was consecrated as the Diocesan Shrine of Santa Maria Immacolata delle Grazie.
1889 – The old Chapel of the Santo Jesus was demolished and the sacred image was transferred to its present location.
1907 – Bishop Giacomo Maria Radini-Tedeschi consecrated the new High Altar.
1915–1918 – During the First World War, the cloister was used as a military hospital.
Prayer and Visitor Information
