Chiesa di Santa Silvia

Slightly in the shape of a Latin cross, the church has a longitudinal plan, with a transept, polygonal presbytery and porticoed pronaos. At the side is the baptistery chapel, no longer used today (the baptismal font has been moved under the ambo).
The width of the nave, excluding the presbytery, is 15.00 m, which becomes 23.00 m at the transept. The height from the floor to the impost of the roof trusses is 15.00 metres.
The framework of the building is in reinforced concrete with pillars and connecting beams left exposed. The pillars on the inside are shaped. The masonry between pillar and pillar is made of tuff bolognini, arranged in alternating vertical and horizontal layers, also visible inside, so as to create a cosy atmosphere in the hall.
Natural lighting is provided by large rectangular windows, while artificial lighting is provided by chandeliers, descending from the chains of the trusses, made of iron with three rounds of lamps.
The façade is cut in the middle along its entire length by a large glass window. The design is by Ing. E. Fornari.
THE CRUCIFIX
A 4-metre bronze by sculptor Ricci, made together with the original tabernacle and the Stations of the Cross in 1968, hanging from the first truss suspended with chains.
It depicts the glorious Christ, who bears the marks of passion and death on his body but is alive, enclosed in a sprouting grain of wheat.
It bears the Author's dedication engraved on the base: To the supreme Source of Life. The original tabernacle, also made of bronze with two guardian angels, was moved to the crypt following the renovation of the presbytery in 1997.
THE VETRATE
‘The Last Day’. Created in 1990, it depicts two passages from chapter 25 of Matthew's Gospel, the parable of the ten virgins (Mt 25:1) and Jesus' discourse on the Last Judgement (Mt 25:35). It is 12.30 m high and 1.65 m wide.
It is made of thick (22/25 mm) coloured dalles glass, made of German-made paste, cut according to the artist's preparatory drawing, chipped on the visible face and then bonded together with a special cement mortar reinforced on the inside.
Work conceived and realised by Sister Agar Loche of the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master
THE APSIDAL MOSAIC
Installed in 2008. The original Crucifix from 1968 is incorporated into the mosaic, with Mary and John at the foot of the Cross-.
Below it St. Silvia with her son St. Gregory the Great at her side, delivering the Word of God to his successors, who are linked to the history of our parish: Pope John XXIII, who wanted it to be born; Paul VI and John Paul II, who visited it; Benedict XVI, under whose pontificate the 50th anniversary was celebrated.
The work, measuring 3.20 x 13.60 metres in height, was created using marble, Venetian enamel and gold, mounted on aluminium and fibreglass honeycomb panels. Commissioned by the Pious Disciples of the Divine Master, under the artistic direction of Sr. Agar Loche.
THE ORGAN
Built by the Mascioni Family and installed in 2011. It has an important 16' front and is equipped with approximately 17 “real” registers, with a total of just over 1000 pipes. It is an instrument capable of expressing itself ‘solo’, rendering much of the organ repertoire in an optimal manner.
The registers are rich in character and blend well with each other to great effect.
The organ is electrically driven with a mobile console on the church floor.