INVESTIGATIONS AT THE PARISH CHURCH OF SANTA CATERINA VIRGIN AND MARTYR CONCORDIA SULLA SECCHIA (MO)

The Parish Church of Saint Catherine Virgin and Martyr of Alexandria in Concordia sulla Secchia (MO) was built in 1520 by the Augustinian friars, who moved the site from a previous church. In 1768, the Duke of Modena Ercole III suppressed the convent and the church, which the following year was purchased by the archpriest of Concordia, Don Giovanni Viani, becoming a subsidiary of the parish of Concordia.

During the 18th and 19th centuries, the church underwent various restorations, including a significant intervention in 1885, when the side aisles were built and the presbytery was modified. The earthquake of May 2012 caused significant damage to the structure, destroying the roof, collapsing the bell tower and seriously damaging the vault of the apse and the side aisles. The decorated wooden ceiling was also compromised. Following these events, safety measures were implemented, which were recently concluded, guaranteeing access to the church and starting its future conservation.

The building has a single-hall plan with two side naves, each containing three chapels supported by pillars and arches. Before the earthquake, the central nave ended with the presbytery and the apse basin, flanked by the sacristy and the bell tower. The load-bearing structures are made of bricks, while the side chapels, originally covered by ribbed vaults, are largely damaged. The coffered ceiling in carved wood, of the Mirandola school, contained twelve canvases, now removed for conservation. The roof, with wooden trusses, was damaged by the earthquake, and the tile covering was replaced with corrugated sheet metal.

In January 2025, Foppoli Moretta e Associati carried out an investigation campaign aimed at studying the construction typology, mechanical characteristics and stratigraphy of the walls, as well as characterizing the wooden elements of the roof. The investigations were conducted with the authorization of the competent Superintendency, in order to guarantee a more in-depth knowledge of the structure and plan future restoration and conservation actions.