Interior view

The contract between Alessi and members of the Sauli family for the construction of Santa Maria Assunta in Carignano dates from September 1549, but the foundation stone was laid only in 1552, the wooden model was constructed between 1552 and 1554, and by 1567 it had reached the stage of vaulting; only then was thought given to the dome, with probable variations made to the original model. The church was completed in 1603.

The model for the Sauli church was clearly derived from Bramante’s work in Rome. The plan of the building is centralized, consisting of a Greek cross set within a square, with a central dome and smaller domes over the arms of the cross and four bell-towers emphasizing the corners of the square. Deriving from the same Roman background are the powerful, solid pillars and the coffered vaults, where the contrast of light and shade is brought out by the white plaster walls.

View the ground plan of the church.