One of the main churches of the Council of Trent, surmounted by the city's tallest bell tower. The building, of very high historical value, houses an impressive collection of works of art.

The church was built between 1520 and 1524 by the will of the prince-bishops Bernardo Clesio by the Comacine architect Antonio Medaglia on the remains of the medieval Santa Maria ad Nives (an early Christian ecclesia) in an area that has returned numerous archaeological evidence relating to the Roman city.

Notable, inside, are the choir of the organ by the Vicenza sculptors and bronzists Vincenzo and Girolamo Grandi, the altarpieces by Giovanni Battista Moroni, Pietro Ricchi, Francesco Unterperger and Giambettino Cignaroli and the large doors – coming from the organ of the Duomo – painted by Giovanni Maria Falconetto in 1508.

Beginning on April 13, 1562, the congregations of the third phase of the Council, the concluding one, were held in Santa Maria. For this purpose, a wooden hemicycle grandstand was set up in the nave, documented by paintings and engravings. In 1902, in memory of the general congregations of the Council, the Marche painter Sigismondo Nardi decorated the vault with scenes and characters from the Tridentine synod.

Important information

• The church is open every day from 8 am to 5.30 pm
• During weekdays, Holy Mass is celebrated followed by the Rosary from 9 am to approximately 10.15 am
• Free entry

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