Chiesa di Sant’Anna

The Chiesa di Sant’Anna was built in 1487 as part of the Convento delle Terziarie Francescane, which would close in 1810.
A remarkable cycle of frescoes can be admired in the church. There is the Nativity of Jesus with angels and saints in the outer lunette (1502) whilst other frescoes of remarkable beauty can be found on the interior walls and in the room above the choir.

The altarpiece, attributable to Carpinoni, is a late-16ᵗʰ-century painting of Saint Anne as her daughter Mary presents the baby Jesus to her. The canvas is enclosed in a Baroque frame, sculpted by Fantoni.
Two more 17ᵗʰ-century canvases are worth mentioning: “La Cena di Emmaus” and “Sant’Anna e La Madonna”.
The altar beards inlaid marble from the Fantoni workshop.

Interestingly, the church has been closed several times throughout its history. Once was around the time of the Italian plague of 1629–1631 when the church and convent premises were used as a quarantine station for maritime travellers, known as a “lazzaretto”. It was not until 26ᵗʰ July 1652 that the church was again blessed and opened for worship thanks to the work of the nuns and Archpriest Gio Battista Bottaini.

Directions: To reach the Chiesa di Sant’Anna, we recommend parking on Via Dante Alighieri then walking about 100 metres along Via Torquato Tasso. Here, turn left then immediately right onto Via Vincenzo Agazzi. You will find your destination in front of you.