Sasso Mobile

7.00 am - 12.00 noon: 3.30 pm - 7.00 pm; Sundays and holidays: 8.30am - 12.00noon

Out of the four modern churches, built after WWII, the most centrally located and the most highly valued, from an architectural standpoint, is that of St. John the Baptist, located on Via Marconi, next to the public park along the banks of the Reno River. The project was designed by world-famous architect Melchiorre Bega, who dedicated particular attention to designing this, his only church. The polygonal, Greek cross layout covers a 1200 sq m area. It is composed of four naves, three for the faithful and one for litugical services. The altar, situated in the middle of the church, is composed of a solid block of sandstone weighing 4 metric tons. The tabernacle is also a work of artistic significance: a 600 kg bronze sculpture by Vignoli, professor of sculpture at the Fine Arts Academy of Bologna. The visible, internal cement structures have been overlaid with white marble, lending greater luminosity to the interior. The external walls are covered with golden-hued sandstone blocks coming from Montovolo. Another unique element is the baptistry: square, accessible both from indoors and out, with a sandstone baptismal font and a bronze statue of St. John the Baptist, the work of the sculptor Luciano Minguzzi. The upper part of the front wall is remarkable for the original effect created by the bronze-sculptured decorations gracing the window.