Known as the Madonna del Castello, it has been dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin ever since it first appeared in documents as Santa Maria del Niardo in 1218.
Since the mid-19th century, the principal object of veneration has been Our Lady of Sorrows, whose statue is preserved on the high altar. Until then, the centre of the chancel had been occupied by the altarpiece (now on the left-hand side) by Enea Salmeggia, known as Talpino (1546? – 1626), depicting the Madonna and Child, with Saints Agatha, Barbara, Lucy and Bridget at her feet, as in the Suardi Oratory; it was dated 1608 and cost 80 scudi.
In the chancel, visible within a window recess, are the remains of the gouache decoration executed by Gian Paolo Cavagna (1556–1627) for one hundred scudi: the date 7 April 1607 is legible.
Inside the church are two altarpieces by Carlo Ceresa (1609–1679), depicting Saint Anthony of Padua (on the left) and, on the other, the Guardian Angel with Saint Fermo (attributed to the years 1635–1640); on the right-hand wall is a fine painting by the French artist Pierre Rumier, dated 1711: Devotees in Prayer, recently restored. By the same artist is a Lamentation over the Dead Christ, dated 1721, kept in the sacristy. The frescoes on the vault, depicting Stories of the Virgin Mary, are by Francesco Parietti, who painted them between 1843 and 1844.
Outside, a plaque commemorates the restoration of 1583. From the small churchyard, one can admire a fine view of Trescore and the surrounding plain; on the right-hand side stands a funeral chapel belonging to the noble Suardi family, owners of the nearby medieval castle, dating back to the 11th century.
INFO:
– Historical period: 12th–13th, 16th and 20th centuries
