Chiesa Parrocchiale di Maria Vergine Immacolata (frazione Gallo)

The parish church of Maria Vergine Immacolata in Gallo, a hamlet of Grinzane Cavour, began as a chapel in 1910 and was completed in 1947. Its exposed-brick architecture and furnishings reflect the devotional history of the community.

Why it matters

The church documents a twentieth-century phase of religious life in the Langhe, beyond the region's medieval and Renaissance landmarks. The growth of a small chapel into a parish church reflects the development of Gallo and the local community's attachment to Lourdes devotion.

What to notice

The building's exposed brick and geometric forms create a restrained architectural composition. Stained-glass windows add colour to the interior. The furnishings include a carved wooden Risen Christ by Filip Moroder Doss, a statue of the Immaculate Virgin brought from Lourdes in 1929, and an organ by Piero Sandri.

Context and history

A chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was built in Gallo in 1910. Following accounts of healings associated with the Lourdes devotion in 1929, the building was enlarged. It was completed in 1947 to a design by architect Dellapiana. The parish church serves Gallo alongside the parish church in the borgo of Grinzane Cavour.