San Martino Church

The Church of San Martino: A Centuries-Old Lakeside Sanctuary

Gazing out over the waters of Lake Como in the hamlet of Calozzo, the Church of San Martino is a site of ancient devotion. Its history dates back to at least 1153, when a small chapel and cemetery stood near the shore. After falling under the influence of the Malacrida lords of Musso in 1389, the community eventually gained independence from the Pieve di Dongo in 1472, allowing them to establish San Martino as their own official parish church.

Architectural Evolution through the Ages

The building we see today is a beautiful mosaic of different eras. Its transformation began with the expansion of the main portal in 1534, followed by the addition of ornate side chapels in the early 17th century. The 18th century brought a grand new organ, which changed the church's facade by replacing the central rose window with new openings to flood the interior with light. In the 1800s, the ceiling was completely redesigned and adorned with frescoes by Giovan Maria Tagliaferri, while modern 20th-century updates refined the interior furnishings and flooring.

Artistic Masterpieces and the Guanella Legacy

The interior features a majestic single nave with a vaulted ceiling, serving as a gallery for exceptional art. Of particular note are the vibrant frescoes in the apse by Isidoro Bianchi, along with masterful works by Giovanni Battista Pozzo and the local painter Giovan Battista Bottiggio. Treasures also wait in the sacristy, including a Baroque wooden wardrobe and a precious processional cross crafted by Francesco Ser Gregori in 1489.
A place of profound spiritual resonance, the church dedicated a chapel in 1970 to St. Luigi Guanella. This "unforgettable parish priest" served here in the late 19th century, starting a mission of charity that eventually spread across the globe. Outside, the 18th-century Oratory and the towering bell tower—housing a 1903 concert of five bells by the Pruneri company—complete this historic landmark.