The Basilica at Superga

I made some editing corrections this evening 11/4/13 at 19:00 local time.

Ivan who was the tour leader for all these wonderful places I've been over the past 2 weeks, was unhappy with my clumsy representation of this place and time, so he suggested   the following, which I just incorporated in my blog here. Thank you Ivan. 

BASILICA OF SUPERGA 

by Salvatore Ivan Italiano. 

Turin war-plight in September 1706.

Turin and Austria armies are allied against the Franco-Spanish armies. The independence of Turin is at stake.

Meanwhile atop the hill of Superga -

Prince Vittorio Amedeo II and Eugenio of Savoy were inspecting the
Franco-Spanish army positions which were been besieging Turin for four months.

Given the criticality of the situation, a vow was made before the statue of the Holy Mother. In case of victory a church would be built atop the hill to honor Her. A reproduction of the statue can be still found into the chapel. 

In 1706, Torino was being besieged by the  Franco-Spanish army. They were losing badly and were days away from being defeated. The King, Vittorio Amedeo II, met with his military advisors on the top of the highest hill surrounding Torino. There was a statue of Mary, and he vowed to the status to build a church in her honor of the city was saved. Very quickly, the tide turned, and his army was victorious. This basilica is the result of that promise made by the King that day.
 The basilica was built over the next hundred years, a testament to the King and his military. It also now houses the Royal mausoleum of the Savoy family, the ruling monarchs of Italy for many years, whose tombs were scattered in Italy and France.
In addition, in 1949, the Torino national football team was returning from a game and all died when the plane they were on crashed into the mountain near the church in a dense fog. There is also a monument to the team at the base of the basilica.


The church is very ornate and detailed, as can be expected for its noble purpose.

The main part of the church is very elaborate. This is typical of most of the churches I have visited, with very beautiful statuary and finishing details that show the craftsmanship that is the hallmark of Italian work. The marble in the floors is exquisite, well made and usually with elaborate patterns and construction. Its easy to understand why this architecture has lasted so many years, and through so many conflicts.

More picture can be found by following this link: Superga Basilica

This is the statue of Mary, now in the Church, where the King made his vow. to build the basilica. It was originally outside and was remade and moved into the church after its construction.

A seminary for Popes

 The church was also used as a seminary for priests, but a very select group of men, selected for their potential to lead the Roman Catholic Church. It was a seminary for Popes in waiting.

In one room is are several walls filled with the pictures of the pontiffs from the new pope Frances in the center of the picture to St. Peter in the number one spot on the left.

When asked if any of the seminarians actually ever became a pope the answer was no, but several of them were critical in the politics of the selection process, and one actually was elected Pope as part of an alternative church.