The Church of Saints Gervase and Protaso is one of Baveno’s most significant religious structures. Built in the 12th century as a dedication to two Roman martyrs, the church is a testament to the town’s ancient history under Roman rule. Explore the church’s broad piazza and admire the architectural highlights of the structure and its adjoining baptistery. Inside, you’ll find exquisite frescoes spanning the 13th to 15th centuries.
Admire the pretty panorama from the piazza fronting the church and the baptistery. There is little remaining of the original 12th-century church’s design, aside from the gabled arches, which are believed to indicate the roofline of the old church façade. Note the Romanesque stone façade on the church building, which is anchored by a central arched portal. See if you can spot the two Roman epigraphs on either side of the portal, which tell the story of Emperor Claudius’ rule in the 1st century. Check out the church’s six-story bell tower, which is now adorned with a clock face.
Make your way inside the church to see its immense triumphal arch and pillars, which are embellished with Romanesque-Gothic frescoes. To the right of the nave you’ll find a small chapel with paintings depicting The Adoration of the Virgin and The Presentation at the Temple. Spot the church’s patron saints, Gervase and Protaso, on the apse arch, as well as a series of frescoes from the 16th and 17th centuries by Camillo Procaccini, Il Vermiglio and Isidoro Bianchi. On the central vault there is an enormous 16th-century wooden crucifix against a background of Golgotha frescoes.
To the left of the church is the baptistery, which has its origins in the 5th century. The structure was remodeled in the Baroque period however, you can still see the remaining 15th-century frescoes in the structure’s cupola.
The Church of Saints Gervase and Protaso is easy to reach via Baveno’s pleasant lakeside promenade. Reach the beautiful old church while exploring the town’s historic centre on foot. The church is open daily and free to visit.
