Champorcher Parish Church

Introduction

The parish church of St Nicholas in Champorcher has a history that goes back to the 12th century. The first mention of the parish dates back to 1176, when there was a church dedicated to Saint Nicholas, probably coinciding with the chapel of the nearby castle. Over the centuries, the building underwent numerous renovations and extensions. A first significant renovation took place in 1532, followed by a further extension in 1728, designed and directed by the Valsesian master builder Giovanni Ferro, known for having contributed to the construction of numerous religious buildings in Valle d'Aosta.

Description

The interior of the church houses a majestic Baroque high altar made of painted, gilded and silver-plated wood. This work was executed between 1738 and 1741 by the Valsesian craftsman Giovanni Battista Gilardi. The triumphal arch, adorned with a depiction of the crucified Christ and statues of St John and the Madonna, also dates back to the 18th century. In 1866, the church was further extended with the addition of two side aisles, the work of three masons from Pontboset. Later, in 1895, the entire vault of the church was splendidly frescoed by the well-known painters Artari from Verrès.

The parish church of Saint Nicholas represents a significant example of religious architecture in the Aosta Valley, testifying through its structures and decorations to the different historical periods and artistic styles that have succeeded one another over the centuries