Skip menu

Chiesa Santa Maria

Overview

Where the 'Good Pope' was baptised

It can be said that the spiritual journey that led Angelo Roncalli to become Pope John XXIII started here. In this small church, the future 'Good Pope' was baptised on 25 November 1881. It was also here that he celebrated his first mass in his native town, on 15 August 1904.

The construction of the Church of Santa Maria in Brusicco, in Sotto il Monte, dates back to the mid-15th century. The façade is simple, modest, in Romanesque style and with exposed masonry. Inside, the single nave is divided into three bays by pointed arches resting on masonry pillars, as solid as the façade. Stop at the first bay on the left to admire the Baptismal Font where Pope Roncalli received the first sacrament.

The end of the pontiff's life is also commemorated here. The tombstone that closed the tomb of Pope John XXIII in the Vatican grottoes is on display in the second bay. 

Via Baradello, 1, 24039 Sotto il Monte Giovanni XXIII BG, Italia

Related articles

UNESCO
The industrial village Crespi d'Adda

The industrial village Crespi d'Adda

Relax and wellness
Wellness in Lombardy: 7 destinations for total detoxification

Wellness in Lombardy: 7 destinations for total detoxification

Mountain
7 unmissable places in the Bergamo Alps

The 7 unmissable locations in the Bergamo Orobie Alps

Nature
discovering the alps of Bergamo

8 things to do to experience the beauty of the Bergamo Alps

Tours and experiences
Sebino Express Historic Train

Sebino Express Historic Train

UNESCO
Valcamonica: history spanning over 8,000 years

Valcamonica: history spanning over 8,000 years

Food and wine
authentic flavors brembana valley

The authentic flavours of Bergamo cuisine in Val Brembana

Cultural cities
Bergamo

Bergamo, medieval heart, contemporary soul

Cultural cities
View of the city of Bergamo

Bergamo and Brescia Capital of Culture 2023: 13 experiences not to be missed if you are in the city for work

Cycling tourism
Cycling in Lombardy: 10 family itineraries

Cycling in Lombardy: 10 family itineraries

UNESCO
Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo's Last Supper, for a touch of the true Renaissance

Santa Maria delle Grazie and Leonardo's Last Supper, for a touch of the true Renaissance

Leisure
Le Cornelle wildlife park: the animal kingdom in 12 hectares

Le Cornelle wildlife park: the animal kingdom in 12 hectares

Cycling tourism
Cyclist on a mountain path in Italy

By bike near Bergamo: 7 routes suitable for everyone

Cycling tourism
sunsets lombardy bicycle

Burning sunsets, castles and rock-cut gorges. A painting? No, Lombardy to be toured by bicycle

Food and wine
Gastronomy in Lombardy: a multitude of souls for a riot of flavours

Gastronomy in Lombardy: a multitude of souls for a riot of flavours

Cycling tourism
Bike and bubbles: discovering the nature of Lombardy

Bike and bubbles: discovering the nature of Lombardy

Leisure
Lombardy, the Valtelline: Fly Emotion’s panoramic Aerofune

Lombardy, the Valtelline: Fly Emotion’s panoramic Aerofune

Historical sites
Olympic Theatre, Sabbioneta

Sabbioneta, a Renaissance masterpiece, and the dream of an enlightened prince

UNESCO
Rhaetian Railway, the engineering masterpiece crossing part of the Alps

Rhaetian Railway, the engineering masterpiece crossing part of the Alps

Sport
the 5 best snowshoeing in lombardy

The 5 best snowshoe hikes in Lombardy

Ops! An error occurred while sharing your content. Please accept profiling cookies to share the page.