Basilica of Martyrs (La Basilica dei Martiri)
This majestic sanctuary (which the Holy See awarded the title of “basilica” in 1973) contains the roots of the religious history and heritage of the entire Val di Non, and is one of the most important specimens of late Gothic art in the Trentino district.
Started in 1480 by Bishop of Trento Giovanni Hinderbach and brought to completion by his successors Udalrico of Frundsberg and Cristoforo Madruzzo in 1542, the basilica stands on the remains of previous religious buildings. It has a Latin cross design with one nave and two aisles separated by high columns.
Here cross-rib vaults, pointed arches and elegantly made capitals – all constructed in light-coloured stone – find relief, making the church’s luminosity stand out. A great many valuable works are kept here: the elegant antependium of the bishop’s revenue on polychrome marble depicting the demolition of the small church by the pagans, the 19th century stained-glass windows that came from Innsbruck, the high altar in baroque style (of 1771), the altar-piece by Giambattista Lampi (of 1775) depicting the three Anauni martyrs in glory and the priceless organ situated above the entrance doorway.
Also the main façade is divided into three parts, with the large, luminous rose window (work by architect Giacomo Mookadoha) and the lovely Gothic-Renaissance doorway in which architectural elements coming from the previous Romanesque church are inserted. Also remaining from the previous church is the tall bell tower with an arched window with three lights, built prior to the year 1000. The bronze bas-relief of the doorway was instead sculpted by Livio Conta to the design of Father Enrico Sironi and donated to the church in 1997.
The Chapel of Martyrs opens up inside on the right aisle. The true heart of the basilica, it has an elegant marble sarcophagus made in 1472 that, as the epigraph sculpted on the side addressed to the believers mentions, contains coals and ashes found that year in a burial niche beneath the old altar that Bishop Hinderbach attributed to the three missionaries. The cycle frescoed on the walls with biblical scenes regarding the apostles and a cycle of the months may possibly be assigned to the 13th century.
The liturgical feast of the Three Martyrs is celebrated on 29 May, the historic day of their murders.