Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore, Peghera

This small parish church preserves two surprising masterpieces: the Madonna with saints by Lorenzo Lotto, one of the most beautiful masterpieces of the artist's mature phase, and a surprising Pietà of the unknown Renaissance Venetian Giampietro Silvio

Very nice and today there was peace and tranquility. The first testimony of a religious building in the community of Sedrina dates back to 1360. At its origins the Church was dedicated to two patrons: S. Giacomo Maggiore and S. Alessandro and only in 1370 was dedicated only to the first. Over time, the population increases and, in the mid-fifteenth century, the renovation of the old building began, which was almost completely demolished. The project of a new work was elaborated, at the beginning of the sixteenth century, by the famous architect Mauro Codussi, of Brembana origin but particularly well known in Venice. Probably Codussi designed only the main facade. The expansion works were completed towards the middle of the 16th century. In 1542 the place of worship received particular attention from the Beata Vergine Maria school, which sent the works of Lorenzo Lotto and Silvio Veneto to Sedrina. In the seventeenth century the diffusion of the veneration of the Madonna del Rosario involves many devotional findings present within the parish church. In 1802 the old organ was replaced in the church with a new one built by the famous family of Serassi organ builders, originally from Como but particularly active in the Bergamo area and throughout northern Italy. At the end of the nineteenth century the works partially transformed the sixteenth-century structure, but it was in 1898 that the choir was enlarged by reworking the definition of the polygonal presbytery. The internal decoration was always redone at the end of the nineteenth century. The bell tower was raised in 1908. In 1944 it was completely restored and in 1948 new windows were applied to the single lancet windows of the façade.

Built according to Renaissance forms by M.CODUSSI, famous for his Venetian architecture, this church is worth a visit for two magnificent Renaissance canvases in bright, fresh colours: one by L. LOTTO (Madonna with child in glory and Saints), the another by G.P.SILVIO VENEZIANO (dead Christ supported on the tomb by 3 angels). A joy for the eyes and for the spirit!

Don't forget the coins to best illuminate the two altarpieces

Beautiful church even if in need of restoration