Chiesa dei Santi Faustino e Giovita

The parish church of Saints Faustino and Giovita rises above Bienno's cobbled churchyard, formerly a burial ground. Its richly decorated single nave contrasts with the compact streets around it.

Why it matters

The church brings together several generations of artistic work. Its paintings, marble furnishings and ironwork reflect both the wider culture of Valcamonica and Bienno's own metalworking tradition.

What to notice

The Sarnico-stone entrance is framed by paired Corinthian columns. Inside, the barrel vault carries painted architectural effects and decoration associated with the Fiamminghino. Giambattista Pittoni's Martyrdom of Saints Faustino and Giovita accompanies the high altar, whose coloured marble and curved forms enrich the sanctuary. Wrought-iron furnishings provide another distinctive local element.

Context and history

The present church developed principally in the early seventeenth century, with subsequent additions and restoration. Artists including Pietro Ricchi and Antonio Guadagnini contributed decoration at different stages of its history. The bell tower's alignment differs from that of the nave, preserving evidence of an older arrangement on the site.