Description

Building work on Santa Maria dei Servi was begun in 1346 by the Servi di Maria (Servants of Mary). The church was enlarged in 1381 following the design of A. da Faenza and building only finished in 1545. The last restauration work took place in 1910. The exterior of the church is in a late Gothic style and is adorned by a beautiful four-sided portico which extends from the façade to beyond the left hand side of the church. The interior has three naves and is also late Gothic in style. The chapels are enriched with lots of Baroque elements. Some of the works of art include the Maestà by Cimabue, and works by Lippo di Dalmasio, A. Tiarini, U. Gandolfi, A. Piò, etc. The convent is annexed to the church and contains lots of paintings and frescoes. It is said that the painting of San Carlo Borromeo e Angeli was painted by Guido Reni by candlelight in the space of a night.