Nago-Torbole - Saint Andrea Church

Saint Andrea Church

It is not a waste of effort going up to the Saint Andrea church, which looks over the older part of Torbole: You would be well rewarded by the contemplation of an impressive sight and by a deeply mystic atmosphere that invites the guest to recollection and prayer. The Saint Andrea church, although quite modest, is held dear by the inhabitants of Torbole because it is a secular evidence of their history. The dedication of the apostle and fisherman Andrea indicates the ancient origins of the temple. The church was first mentioned in a document dated 1175. In 1183 the Pope Lucius III (Italian: Lucio) assigned it, together with the surrounding olive grove, to the Cistercian Abbey of Saint Lorenzo in Trento. In 1497 some of the properties of the Church were given for the support of a priest who would look after of the Torbole Community. In 1741 the curate of Torbole has been founded and in 1839 the church was officially consecrated.

ARCHITECTONIC FEATURES - After being ravaged by French troops in 1703, the church was rebuilt in the Late Baroque style, but some architectural elements have been recovered. This is proven by the dates sculptured on the base of the two rocky arches of the transept. From an artistic point of view the most important work of the whole church is the altar piece in the apse. It represents the martyrdom of Saint Andrea and it is the masterpiece of the Verona artist Giambettino Cignaroli (1706–1770). All the figures of the painting, really detailed and realistic, should have been conceived taking as models some inhabitants of Torbole. A painted vertical sundial can be seen on the church's lake facing wall and on the opposite side is a small cemetery. The parish Saint Andrea church is divided into three naves and keeps a fine wooden chorus. A significant element is the wonderful eighteenth century canvas made by Giambettino Cignaroli representing the Saint Andrea martyr.