It was once the third most important church in Asti, after the Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta (Cathedral of the Assumption) and the Colleggiata di San Secondo (Collegiate Church of Saint Secundus)

It is one of the greatest examples of baroque style in the Asti area

Asti City Center

Overlooking the square of the same name, in the San Martino - San Rocco district (one of the districts participating in the Asti Palio, and one of the most beautiful architectural spaces in the city), the Chiesa di San Martino (Church of Saint Martin) was built in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in 1707, to be entrusted to the Barnabite fathers until 1987. Annexed to the churches, there is a recently restored convent.

Baroque Architecture

The church has a single nave with barrel vaults that widens in the center in the form of a Greek cross, and is flanked by side chapels. A large area is dedicated to the presbytery, where the congregation was received. The dome has an octagonal lantern and the bell tower is original from the 14th century, while the central niche above the entrance portal of the facade houses the statue of Saint Martin.

Artistic Heritage

Inside the church, you can admire valuable frescoes by the Canellese painter Giancarlo Aliberti. Noteworthy are "La Gloria di Alessandro Sauli" ("Glory of Alessandro Sauli", depicted on the dome), "Fuga in Egitto" (Escape to Egypt) and "L'Epifania" (The Epiphany). Among the paintings, two oil paintings by Michelangelo Pittatore stand out. One depicts Saint Lucy and Saint Apollonia, while the other portraits Saint Joseph.

In chapter IV of his work "Vita" (Life), Vittorio Alfieri mentions that he was led to the Chiesa di San Martino (Church of Saint Martin), far from home, located in the beautiful center of the city, and very popular at noon at all the idlers of the beautiful world.