Highlights
Parish church, once the castle chapel.
Its bell tower is characteristic: built in 1678, it is 40 meters high.
In ancient times the present church was the castle chapel; in fact, skeletons of ancestors of the castle lords were found under the floor.
The people's church was in the square where now stands the Town Hall.
It is dedicated to St. Catherine of Egypt.
In a niche behind the high altar is a statue of this saint with a broken wheel, the symbol of her martyrdom.
On the ceiling above the altar is a fresco depicting angels who are adoring God.
In the four corners are the four evangelists: St. Mark with a lion beside him, St. John with an eagle, St. Matthew with an angel, and St. Luke with an ox.
At the top is the inscription "Domus dei est domus orationis" wich inviting the faithful to prayer.
The interior of the church consists of a large eight-columned nave overlooked by six side chapels; in one of these is the baptismal font.
The balustrade and high altar are of a very fine marble of various colors; in two side chapels are two smaller altars, one of which is dedicated to Mary Immaculate.
The bell tower was built in 1678 and is 40 meters high; in its belfry are five bells, one of which, the one dedicated to St. Catherine, weighs 470 kilos.
Insights
Comune di Monale
https://www.comune.monale.at.it/
- La Chiesa parrocchiale
https://www.comune.monale.at.it/it/page/la-chiesa-parrocchiale-102c8384-cd35-4f62-8546-1b9352d2dec5 - Santa Caterina
https://www.comune.monale.at.it/it/page/santa-caterina
BeWeb - Beni Ecclesiastici in WEB
https://beweb.chiesacattolica.it/
- Chiesa di Santa Caterina
https://www.beweb.chiesacattolica.it/houses/house/22317/Monale+%28AT%29+%7C+Chiesa+di+Santa+Caterina
GAL BMA - Gruppo di Azione Locale del Basso Monferrato Astigiano
https://www.monferratoastigiano.it/
- Comune di Monale (AT)
https://www.monferratoastigiano.it/comune-di-monale-at/
