From the site of today's church, the Duke Viktor Amadeus II observed the siege of nearby Turin on 2 September 1706 and vowed to dedicate to her the construction of a church there if Turin were liberated. After the city was actually not conquered, Victor Amadeus was eager to fulfill his promise and thus began in 1716, the construction of the church, which should last until 1731. The architect in charge was Filippo Juvarra, who was to become the most influential builder of Savoyan at that time, leading his first large-scale project.
The church stands in an imposing position high above the city of Turin - in good weather, the Alps can be seen from here - and is one of the most important works Juvarras. The Superga is a masterpiece of baroque and a synthesis of architecture. Three staircases lead to the solemn portico, this forms the entrance to the dome-domed church and thus reminiscent of the Pantheon, while the mighty, 75 m high dome of those of St. Peter's is modeled. Even if individual architectural elements are part of the well-known repertoire of the times: with its use of colored materials and the reference to the landscape, Juvarra follows the trend-setting building ideas of the 18th century. The effect of the church, on the top of the hill with the dome framing bell towers resembles another sacred building of the time: since Juvarra undertook several extensive European trips in the course of his career, a mutual stylistic influence with the collegiate church in Melk is not excluded. Here as well as there, the church is included in the monastery district and extends from the façade axis far into the depths. The similarity of the two systems is at least in the front view amazing and similar to the mediated impression.
For the construction of the church, large amounts of earth had to be moved to create a clear plane on the sloping terrain. The construction towers 75 meters high, 51 meters deep and 34 meters wide to the top of the dome cross. The designation as basilica does not refer to the type of building type basilica, but the ecclesiastical rank of the church. Rather, the church is a central building with choir room and adjoining courtyard surrounded by three wings. The interior of the church is structured with rich chapels and decorated with sculptures, paintings and stucco. In the sacrament chapel, a wooden statue of Mary is placed, before which Viktor Amadeus II allegedly took his vow. The church also houses a significant crypt; since the Superga also served as a mausoleum for the Savoyans, there are the graves of several dozens of members of the aristocratic family.
To the church runs from the city center from a 12 km long, forming a visual axis road train (Corso Francia and others). From the foot of the mountain, it can be reached by the Sassi-Superga cogwheel railway.
Translated by Google •
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