Current name: Church of Sant’Apollinare
Original name: Church of Sant’Apollinare

City: Tresigallo (FE) (ITA)
Address: Piazza Italia 10

Year of construction: 12th century, 18th-century façade, stylistic restoration 1937
Designer: Carlo Frighi (restoration)
Clients: Public
Architectural style: Classicism

Interior visitable: Yes
Notes: Sant’Apollinare and the portico are included in a dedicated itinerary in this guide
Superintendency restriction – historical and artistic importance.

The oldest part of Tresigallo is represented by the church of Sant’Apollinare. The parish church, mentioned in 11th-century documents, reached the 20th century with an 18th-century appearance, but today virtually nothing remains of its original design. The interior was modified in the 1960s, but by 1937 the sacred building had undergone substantial renovations that completely transformed its façade, churchyard, and surrounding areas. This renovation was planned by Edmondo Rossoni, the powerful Minister of Agriculture, as part of his efforts to revitalize the city of Tresigallo, and bears the signature of engineer Carlo Frighi, a trusted technician of the fascist leader himself. The 1937 urban planning project defined the appearance of Piazza Italia, creating, among other things, the loggia that today represents one of the city’s most iconic structures. That portico built in a “modern” Neoclassical style helped to forge the tourist brand of “Metaphysical City” for Tresigallo.

The church’s façade has been completely transformed. It has been re-clad, with a new portal and bas-reliefs depicting scenes from the life of the bishop and martyr Apollinaris. The loggia was built around the perimeter of the churchyard, partially adjoining the nursery school building. The elegant portico continues with an interesting curved path on Via Giuseppe Verdi, which overlooks several public buildings. At the top of the structure are significant panels depicting a vast iconography of the area’s ancient productive activities: fishing and agriculture, along with various aspects of war.

Also overlooking piazza Italia is the Infant School, a building constructed in 1926, partially utilizing an existing building. The style of the school was also revisited during the urban planning project of 1937. Of extreme interest is the small terrace that supports a high relief, used as a parapet, composing the “Memorial to the Fallen.” The inscription underneath reads: “The sacrifice of the Heroes burns forever.” The iconographic layout is completed by the date 14th EF (1936), delimited by two gladiuses, and at the top of the entrance littoria tower, an open book is flanked by two shovels and two rifles.