The church of Santi Nazaro e Celso is located on Corso Giacomo Matteotti, at the intersection with via Fratelli Bronzetti, in Brescia, Lombardy, Italy. The church contains the Averoldi Polyptych (1522), a masterwork of Titian.
History
Originally a church was found at approximately the same site in 1222, in an area that was soon enclosed by enlarged city walls. A major reconstruction began in 1746, by designs of abate Zinelli, and completed in 1781, leading to the statue-topped neoclassical facade we see today.[1] It was interrupted in 1769 by an accidental explosion of a powder magazine at nearby Porta Nazaro. Reconstruction finally ceased and worship was resumed in 1780. Seventeen years later the college of canons was suppressed, but the church remained functioning as a parish church. The organ in the church was completed by Luigi Amati in 1803.
The entrance has a bust of one of the patrons of the reconstruction, the bishop of Modone, Alessandro Fe.[2]
Interior
Moretto, Coronation of the Virgin with Saints Michael Archangel, Joseph, Francis of Assisi, and Nicola of Bari
In addition to the polyptych, the church contains the following artworks:
Coronation of the Virgin with Saints (circa 1534) by il Moretto, 2nd altar to left.
Passion of Christ with Moses and Solomon (or David) (1541-1542) by Moretto, 3rd altar to right.
Annunciation by Gabriello Rottini, 3rd altar to left.
