Santa Maria del Sasso, Morcote

In the early 14th century, the church of Sant'Antonio Abate built by Antonian monks in Morcote became too small to accommodate the Mass goers. A small votive chapel at the foot of the rock where a small stone statue of Our Lady was found in 1313 was suggested as the site of a new larger church. On this holy site, a church with three naves in the Romanesque style was built between 1462 and 1478, featuring six characteristic columns in terracotta. The side chapel dedicated to Saint Charles was added in 1581. The chapel to the front with depictions of the Crucifixion dates from 1591. The altar niche and the two sacristies were built between 1750 and 1758. In 1758, the church was redecorated in the Baroque style and a new choir was added to the south. The organ from 1700 was moved to the apse in 1785. The frescoes decorating the apse show scenes from the Passion of Christ and were painted by Domenico Sursnicus in 1513. To the right, we have the olive grove and to the left Christ on the cross. The front panel depicts the Crucifixion, while scenes from Genesis adorn the vault. The oldest frescoes date from around 1480 and are found in the cross vault and along the arcade of the south-eastern arched window. They show the Eternal Father, Saint Augustus, Thomas Aquinas and Saint Geronimo. These paintings are of exceptionally high artistic value and unique for Lombard art of this time. The six statues of saints along the centre nave are the work of Domenico da Montorfano. The marvellous painting of the Miraculous Fishing in the aisle is attributed to Bartolomeo Sardi who lived in the region as a political refugee around 1500.

The vault is decorated with medallions showing the Dove of the Holy Spirit and angels. The transverse arches feature Sybils. To the left of the porch, we see Saint John and Saint Anthony the Hermit (1614). On the wall opposite are depicted Saint Paul and Saint Anthony before a landscape background. To the right, we have the crest of the Fossati family (1595), and right below the crest depictions of Saint Charles Borromeo and the Lauretan Virgin (1614). In the aisle to the west, there are four scenes from the life of John the Baptist. The lunette to the east shows the Stigmatisation of Saint Francis, both by the artist Tarilli. Along the aisles, we have an altarpiece with rosary and two saints to the left and a statue of the Virgin Mary on the Throne to the right (16th century). The chapel of the sacrament (1591) features cassette stuccowork in the barrel vault, a stucco altar with a painting of the Crucifixion and frescoes depicting the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament (1611). Opposite the altar, we enter the Checca chapel (1581), which was redecorated in the Baroque period with illusionistic architecture painting. In 1795, the chapel was painted, most probably by Cipriano Pelli di Aranno. The altar frontal includes a bust of Saint Charles Borromeo (17th century). The painting to the side of the Crucifixion chapel dates from the early 17th century. On the main altar made in marble (1758), we have a statue of the Virgin Mary (16th century). The late Romanesque belfry (16th century) was built according to drawings by the artists Rossi and Paleari from Morcote. It is made from cut stone taken from the curtain wall of the castle. In the town of Morcote, we find another few historic buildings of national importance, and the town was home to several artistic families, including the Fossati, Bazzurri, Paleari and Raggi Caccia. The town extends along the shores of the lake. Many of the stately homes have arcades on the ground floor, which were originally designed as shelters for fishing vessels. The Torre del Capitano (1249), a tower that was part of the original town wall, is well worth a visit. Several stairwells lead from the lake promenade to the church. After a visit to the church, we recommend taking time to stroll through the cemetery where a number of well-known men, among them the actor Alexander Moissi and the pianist and composer Eugène d'Albert are buried. Our next destination is the oratory of Saint Anthony of Padua, an octagonal building with three storeys (1676). The stucco decorations in the choir (1682) are by Abbondio Paleari. The frescoes in the dome date from the same period and are the work of Giovanni Carlone and depict scenes from the lives of Christ and the apostles. From here, we can follow the Stations of the Cross along 404 stone steps to the church of Sant’Antonio Abate (1300) below the former Antonian monastery, which today houses the primary school. The two side chapels of the church are decorated with frescoes of the apostles and the Holy Family by Cino Chiesa da Seregno. Above the altar, we have a depiction of the Last Judgement by Antonio Ripa. In front of the church, there are two stairs, one leading to the centre of the town and the other to the lake shore near the town hall. To the west, we can enter the Scherrer Park, a botanical jewel with many works of art.