User Reviews
San Secondo Church stands on the hill of Mongiglietto, about 1 km west of Cortazzone. Built in the early 12th century, it is a fine example of Romanesque architecture, notable for its imaginative sculptural decorations on the southern wall, apses, and interior capitals. Still active today, it hosts the annual feast of Saint Secondo, Cortazzone’s patron saint.
Although the exact origins are unknown, the church likely began as part of a Benedictine monastery. In the 12th century, it came under the bishops of Pavia, then later under the bishop of Asti. It once served as the parish church for a nearby village, later abandoned for the safer, fortified Cortazzone.
The church reflects the flourishing Romanesque style in the Asti and Monferrato regions, with its alternating brick and sandstone walls, sculpted stone capitals, and rich decorative details like blind arcades, checkered friezes, and sculpted corbels.
The facade is simple, featuring a portal framed by stone arches and decorated with a bird, a human head, and a scallop-shell motif—possibly indicating a pilgrim route. A small bell gable was later added above.
More elaborate decorations appear on the southern wall and the three apses, showcasing fantastic creatures, human figures, and symbolic motifs. One sculpture humorously shows a man climbing an arch—perhaps the architect himself.
Inside, the church has a basilica layout with three naves, five bays, round arches, and cross vaults (added later). The stone capitals, though roughly carved, display a rich variety of figures: double-tailed mermaids, birds, tritons, fish, horses, floral elements, and pilgrimage symbols like shells and cornucopias.
The presbytery is slightly raised, with three semicircular apses. The central apse features a 14th-century fresco of Christ between Saints Secondo and Brunone (or Siro), restored in 1992.
The Château de Chantilly comprises two attached buildings: the Petit Château built around 1560 for Anne de Montmorency, and the Grand Château, which was destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in the 1870s. Owned by the Institut de France, the château houses the Musée Condé. It is one of the finest art galleries in France and is open to the public.
The estate"s connection with the Montmorency family began in 1484. The first mansion (now replaced by the Grand Château) was built in 1528–1531 for the Constable Anne de Montmorency by Pierre Chambiges. The Petit Château was also built for him, around 1560, probably by Jean Bullant. In 1632, after the death of Henri II, it passed to the Grand Condé who inherited it through his mother, Charlotte Marguerite de Montmorency.
Several interesting pieces of history are associated with the château during the 17th century.