CHIESA DELLA BEATA VERGINE INCORONATA

The Church of the Blessed Virgin Incoronata was built in 1586-88. Its distinguishing feature is its octagonal plan inspired by 15th-century Lombard models of Bramante's matrix, especially the church of Santa Maria Incoronata in Lodi. Postridentine decrees provided for the building of churches with a central layout, so the Incoronata church in Sabbioneta is not an anomaly compared to the more common longitudinal layouts. The central plan has in fact been the alternative to the longitudinal plan since the very beginning of Christian religious architecture and its origin is to be found in a widespread Roman mausoleum type. The idea of building an octagonal plan church in Sabbioneta probably arose as a result of Vespasian's frequent trips to the State of Milan as well as his particular attention to classical models.