San Martino Parish Church of La Morra. Italy

The church of San Martino is a church which is located in La Morra in the Langhe. It was built in 1699.

It is a testimony of architectural work of Garove Michelangelo (1650-1713), whose task was to design a sacred builfding on a public space, in an elevated position over the village.

The church is a wonderful example of Italian baroque architecture from the Piemonte region

Inside there is an high altar, representing the Madonna with Child, St. Martin and Crispin Giovanni Carlo Aliberti, (1715).

It is the first church built in La Morra territory.

The parish church of San Martino was started in 1684 and completed in 1695. Later, in 1713, it was built the rectory overlooking the church square and communicates with the presbytery through the sacristy. 

The rectory and the sacred building were built at the expense of the community, while the main altar was erected thanks to funding from a "Messer Bartolomeo Mascarello" as shown by an inscription placed on it.

 In 1865 funds were allocated for work on the paintings and on the floor. But the sub-prefect, because quote too high and, declaring the non urgency of the work, not granted the authorization to proceed. In 1868 the City Council commissioned the director Barberis to make an inspection to verify the urgency of requests. After the visit in parish work began, which they were carried out under the direction of the Archpriest and was completed the following year.

The municipal engineer Costamagna felt the need to do other renovations. On that occasion it was also decided to intervene on the paintings of the time of the side chapels and on those of the nave. They were also patched stucco and decorated in the side chapels; "Reduced to the state of perfection and adorned the shelves of the intermediate body." Subsequently they were enlarged openings of the sides and make internal repairs to frames, plaster and stucco. 

The January 11, 1874 a fire caused serious damage to the building: most of the furniture, such as the forum and the organ, were damaged and destroyed by the flames. Despite the severe damage in a short time it was restored and made accessible for the parish community. The painter l. Morgani was commissioned to carry out the existing paintings (1879-1880) of the vault of the nave and other tweaks.