SAN SISTO CHURCH

Outstanding renaissance temple having ancient origin: the empress Angilberga (wife of Ludwig the Pious) founded it in 874, together with an adjacent Benedictine nunnery. The present church was built in 1499-1511 and was the first work (as far as sacred architecture is concerned) by Alessio Tramello.Before the façade, modified in 700, theres a large inner ward with arcades. The three nave interior is a valuable example of early Renaissance architecture with beautiful paintings by Procaccini, Pittoni, Palma il Giovane, dei Campi. The main altar is decorated with a copy of Raphaels masterpiece Madonna Sistina, carried out on purpose for this church. The original painting was sold in 1754 by the Benedictines to August 3rd, king of Poland, and today its the most valuable painting in Dresdas museum. Another remarkable element iside is the inlaid wooden choir by Bartolomeo Spinelli from Busseto and Giampiero Panbianchi from Colorno (1514).