Italian-style churches

Many of the most beautiful Poznań churches were built in the Baroque era, between the 17th and the 18th century. The wealthiest patrons in the city at that time were religious orders. Rich architecture responded to the growing needs of the faithful. It was also used as a weapon in the Catholic struggle with other denominations. Grand buildings testified to the good name of religious orders, which sometimes competed with each other in this respect. What is more, founding churches, monasteries and hospitals gave hope for salvation for both patrons and architects.

The biggest influence on religious architecture in Poznań at the time had Italians, for example, Christopher Bonadura the Elder, who was invited to Poznań by the Opaliński Family. He introduced in the Wielkopolska Region a new kind of church modelled on Roman temples. This was the style in which he designed a church for the Order of Discalced Carmelites. The church overlooks St Adalbert’s Hill to this day. Bonadura settled in Poland for good and married one of the townswomen in Grodzisk Wielkopolski. Later, he was granted Poznań citizenship and became the chairman of the local guild of masons. His son, Christopher Bonadura the Younger, continued his work. The young Italian adorned the aged Poznań Gothic temples – the cathedral and the Corpus Christi Church – with Baroque elements which are still recognisable today.

Baroque Carmelite church from the 17th century on St Adalbert’s Hill. Italian architects Christopher Bonadura the Elder and his son used the Roman church Santa Maria della Scala as inspiration, photo by Jarosław Tritt

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The Catenazzi gentlemen – a family business

Many Italian architects working in Poland came from the Swiss region of Ticino. They gave Poland and the world such architectural marvels as St Peter’s Basilica in Rome and Baths Palace in Warsaw. The Catenazzi Family, which linked their destiny with the Wielkopolska Region, also came from this area.

Brothers Giorgio and Andrea Catenazzi continued in Poznań the work started by their mentor, Christopher Bonadura the Elder. They finished the work on the residences for three Poznań orders: Carmelites on St Adalbert’s Hill, Franciscans at Bernardyński Square and the Reformed Friars Minor in the district of Śródka. They also took Bonadura’s son under their wings and introduced him to the intricacies of the profession.

Andrea Catenazzi’s son, Giovanni, on the other hand, became famous for finishing the Jesuit church and for building the nearby college. Today these buildings serve as Poznań’s Parish Church and the Municipal Office. The Catenazzis became the leading Baroque architects in the Wielkopolska Region. Giorgio became the citizen of Poznań, Andrea – probably of Gostyń and Giovanni – of Leszno.

Widok na fasadę kościoła z dwoma wysokimi wieżami

The Franciscan church at Bernardyński Square was built according to the design by Italian architects Christopher Bonadura the Elder and Giorgio Catenazzi, photo by Jarosław Tritt

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Italian-style churches
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