Introduction
The church of Negrentino is one of the most interesting in the canton. Its enchanting location, Romanesque architecture and rich pictorial decoration make it unique. This Romanesque church is located high above the village of Prugiasco. Built in the 11th century, it was originally dedicated to St. Ambrosius. In the interior, Romanesque and Late Gothic frescoes can be admired. The bell dating from 1676 broke several years ago, but it was subsequently restored and has been ringing since December 7, 2008, the Day of St. Ambrosius.
The church of Negrentino, originally dedicated to S. Ambrogio Vecchio (today in S. Carlo), is one of the most remarkable ones in Ticino. The blissful location, the Romanesque architecture and rich artistic decorations are what make it so unique. Surrounded by fields at an altitude of 850 meters, isolated and facing a cliff that opens onto a vast panorama, this example of Ticino’s Romanesque and Lombard architecture preserves a timeless charm. Visiting Negrentino also offers the occasion for a first introduction to the Blenio Valley, nicknamed the valle del sole (Valley of the Sun).
The building, built in the 11th century and mentioned for the first time in 1224, is located on the ancient transit route of the Nara Pass which connects two valleys: Blenio and Leventina. The bell tower, detached from the main body of the church, is probably from the following century.
The two-aisled church with a double apse was first mentioned in writing in 1214, but dates back to an earlier time. It was built in two phases. The original Romanesque apse hall from the 11th century was probably extended in the south in the 13th century by a similar but narrower room with a smaller apse. The previous entrances in the north (men’s entrance) and west wall (women’s entrance) were replaced by a western and southern portal in the new southern part. At the same time, perhaps a little earlier, the campanile on the north side was built. The sacristy added to the south and the windows of the apses, which were only subsequently broken out, date from the post-medieval period . The church was restored in 1942–1944 and another restoration is currently underway.
The pictorial decorations cover most of the internal walls and can be attributed to three different eras. The extraordinary fresco located in the counter-facade of the main apses should be original to the church: it represents the Christ in the centre of a game of concentric circles symbolizing the universe that offers him a crown of thorns. Behind him, the tools of the Passion (spear and stick). On either side, the Apostles. Above, a Greek fret interrupted by two lambs and a marine animal. Below, a shoot. A very singular composition that is interpreted as either the Resurrection, the Ascension or the Universal Judgment. The color tones are delicate. The prevailing ones are aqua, okra and brick red. As a whole, it is considered an outstanding fresco with apparent Byzantine influence. The date of work is uncertain (1010-1100) but it is most certainly one of Ticino’s most ancient and is often studied by researchers of the great Romanesque paintings of Northern Italy.
The other paintings in the oldest part of the church are works of the Seregnesi, active fresco painters in Ticino and in the Grisons after mid-1400s. Depicted in the main apse are classic themes of medieval churches: Christ in ‘vesica piscis’, the Four Evangelists, the Apostles. In the lower part, curtains conceal the original decoration evoked by the emerging dragon’s head. On both sides, Santo Stefano and Santa Caterina. Illustrated below the arch are the King and the Prophets and in the triumphal arch, the Annunciation. Votive paintings decorate the Northern walls including Sant’Ambrogio, a Virgin Mary in a throne, a second Virgin Mary between Saint Anthony the Abbot and San Bernardino and a Crucifixion.
Another prolific workshop worked in Negrentino: around 1510 Antonio da Tradate and his aides frescoed the minor apse and the walls of the second aisle. The main thread of the apse paintings is the Life of the Virgin, developed around the central fresco depicting “Mary’s Coronation”. In the dividing arches, the “Assumption of the Virgin” assisted by the Apostles and musician angels. Under the arches, Prophets and Saint Anthony the Abbot.
Painted on the counter-facade is a scene of Miracle of Parabiagio: Sant’Ambrogio on a horse appears to the Milanese during the battle (1339) to support them. On the sides are illustrated Saints Gervasio and Protasio, two martyr brothers from the first centuries of Christianity. On the Southern wall, other votive paintings can be admired.
Interior
The larger apse of the old building was built from blocks of different sizes and colors. Above it, the course of the original gable roof is indicated. Pilaster strips created three fields of different sizes, which are crowned by small arcade arches. On the right side of a window, there is a relief of a peacock as a symbol of life.
The tower, which is slightly set back from the main building on the north side, has three rows of double-arched windows. On the east side facing the valley, the red and white cross coats of arms of the Blenio Valley (left, with swearing hand) and the Leventina (right, with blessing hand) are attached at the top.
They are dominated by the Uri coat of arms , which was partially torn off in 1798 as a sign of the sole rule of Uri over Prugiasco (as part of the neighborhood of Chiggiogna) and thus over the pass into the Leventina. This had a large degree of autonomy under the Uri supreme bailiff in Faido, which erupts in 1755 after his attacks in the bloodily suppressed “Liviner uprising.” Thus the Leventina, like the other “ennetbirgische bailiwicks,” remained subject territory of the three inner Swiss towns of the Old Swiss Confederacy until 1798 .
The picture of pity and the depiction of Saint Michael above the southern entrance portal date from the 15th century. Inside, the flat-roofed room is divided by a brick column and two arches.
Feast Day
Feast day : June 24th
Church Opening Time:
2 to 4 hours (half day)
Contact Info
Address :
6723 Acquarossa, Switzerland
Tel: +41 91 872 14 87
Accommodations
Connectivities
Airway
San Carlo Negrentino to Milan Malpensa (MXP) Airport Distance 1 hr 48 min (143.8 km) via A2
Railway
Prugiasco, Paese Acquarossa, Switzerland train station to Church of San Carlo Negrentino Distance 8 min (4.1 km) via Zona Leontica Paese
