There are many reasons to visit the Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Elva. To admire a Romanesque-style church. To visit a village that has maintained its spirit over the centuries. To admire the natural setting that surrounds it. Whatever brings you here, you will discover one of the most beautiful pictorial cycles in the area: the splendid crucifixion and the paintings in the presbytery attributed to Hans Clemer. This Flemish painter worked in the Marquisate of Saluzzo and Provence between the late 15th and early 16th centuries.

A magnificent work that earned Hans Clemer the nickname Master of Elva.

It is a fresco cycle, dating back to around 1493, which illustrates stories from the lives of the Virgin Mary and Christ. The highlight of the cycle is a grand Crucifixion scene that covers the entire back wall.

The vault’s webs depict the four Evangelists deep in discussion with the first four Doctors of the Church.

The Crucifixion is characterized by intense drama and the powerful physicality of its characters. Among the anonymous faces in the crowd, the face of Longinus stands out in the center, which tradition says is a self-portrait of the painter Hans Clemer. The side scenes illustrate the life of the Virgin Mary.

Restored in 1995, it is certainly one of the Master’s best works and one of the most significant examples of Piedmontese art from that period.

The late-Romanesque entrance portal, a Madonna and Child in the lunette above the portal, and the Romanesque bell tower are also of remarkable beauty.

Inside, besides the frescoes, you will find the carved stone baptismal font dating from the late 14th and early 15th centuries and a stoup by the Zabreri brothers dated 1463.

Have we convinced you? We look forward to seeing you at the parish church along with the Master of Elva!

• Borgata Serre 1 (Elva)

• How to visit the site

  Open all year round. Can also be visited with the help of the "Elva" app. For info: 340 9846508