The Aloisian Year: Historical Sites to Visit in Castiglione delle Stiviere

The Aloisian Historical Museum

The museum dedicated to Saint Aloysius (San Luigi) is located in the College of the Virgins of Jesus (Collegio delle Vergini di Gesù). This institution was founded on June 21, 1608, by Cinzia, Olimpia, and Gridonia—daughters of Rodolfo, the brother to whom Aloysius had surrendered his birthright. Inspired by their uncle, they established the college in a building dating from the first half of the 16th century, formerly owned by their maternal grandparents. It was founded as a Lay Congregation of Noble Young Women who dedicated their lives to prayer, the education of young girls, and helping the needy. The dowries in money and furnishings brought by the “Ladies,” as they were called, supported the Congregation. Today, one wing of the institute remains an educational center, while another houses the museum.

Aloisian Museum Castiglione
The interior of the Aloisian Historical Museum in Castiglione delle Stiviere

Thanks to their foresight, the museum has preserved important works of sacred and secular art. These include a portrait of Aloysius commissioned by his mother for his beatification (1605), a collection of portraits of the Gonzaga family of Castiglione, and portraits of the three foundresses. The museum also displays works by Barocci, F. Guardi, F. Bassano, C. Piazza, and G. Carpioni. There is also a collection of antique furniture, relics, and liturgical objects, including ten 17th- and 18th-century chasubles woven in gold and silver, brought as dowries by the Ladies.

Notable metalwork includes the “Saint Aloysius Clock,” made in 1567 by the Belgian goldsmith Jean Valin, personal jeweler to Duke Guglielmo Gonzaga, Aloysius’s godfather. The wooden furniture of the 18th-century Refectory, crafted by local artisans, and the collection of pewter plates (among the most important in Italy) are of great historical interest, as are the 17th-century iron window grates.

During the museum visit, the guide highlighted the strength of Gridonia. From the College, she governed the marquisate on behalf of her young cousin Luigi, who became prince after the death of his father, Francesco. Gridonia stood firm against other aggressive claimants to the title.

The Basilica of San Luigi

An artistic gem and the center of devotion to the saint, this basilica was built in 1608 alongside the Jesuit College. It stands on land donated by Francesco Gonzaga, Aloysius’s brother, who succeeded Rodolfo after the latter was assassinated at the age of twenty-three. Francesco invited the Jesuit Fathers to the city to provide education for local youth in memory of his brother, while just 200 meters away, his three nieces—Cinzia, Olimpia, and Gridonia—founded the College of the Virgins of Jesus in collaboration with the Jesuits.

Saint Aloysius Gonzaga portrait
A historical portrait of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga

Designed by architect L. Bienni of Salò, who drew inspiration from Vignola’s Church of the Gesù in Rome, the building follows the guidelines of the Council of Trent. It was completed in the second half of the 18th century.

The church features a single nave with baroque decorations, six lateral chapels, and an elliptical dome over the presbytery. The barrel vault features a tempera painting by Martinenghi (1891) showing the saint teaching catechism to youths in Rome, surrounded by the twelve apostles and the symbols of the four evangelists. The vault arch, painted by G. Anselmi of Verona, depicts the glory of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga. The side walls display ten monochrome ovals from the late 17th century illustrating scenes from the saint’s life. The wooden pulpit, the prince’s gallery, the choir stalls, and the six confessionals date to the late 17th and early 18th centuries.

In the choir loft to the right of the presbytery is a precious organ built by G. Bonatti of Desenzano in 1794.

Beyond a marble balustrade lies the presbytery and the monumental late-baroque high altar. At its sides are white marble angels holding candelabras and statues representing the virtues of Innocence and Penance. In the center, angels and cherubins adorn the tabernacle containing the urn with the relic (skull) of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, given by the Jesuits in 1610 to his brother Francesco and moved here in 1679. Above the altar is a 1734 altarpiece by A. Balestra depicting Saint Aloysius praying before the Virgin Mary.

In the elliptical dome, four pendentives attributed to G. Ceruti (il Pitocchetto) represent episodes from the saint’s life, from his birth to his entry into the Society of Jesus. Eight medallions represent Christian virtues, with charity depicted by Saint Aloysius helping a plague victim.

In a small side chapel rest the three foundresses of the College: Cinzia, Olimpia, and Gridonia. The other side chapels are also of great artistic value, containing works by L. Torelli (1737) and late 17th-century wooden sculptures.

This sanctuary was elevated to a Minor Basilica in 1964 by Pope Paul VI.

The Convent of Santa Maria

Built in the 16th century, this convent was home to the Hermits of Santa Maria and later the Franciscan Friars Minor. It features a two-tiered portico and an ancient spring in the basement. A renovated wing of the convent was reserved for the Gonzaga family; here, in 1584, Aloysius retired after a conflict with his father over his decision to enter the priesthood. In 1891, a small chapel was created in his memory in one of the rooms. During restoration works, the remains of a 2nd-century AD Roman mosaic floor were discovered.

Since 1846, it belonged to the College of the Virgins, and in 2025 it was transferred to the new San Luigi Foundation, established by the current Bishop, Monsignor Marco Busca.

The Castle of Castiglione

Only the medieval gate tower and parts of the defensive walls remain. Built as a fortress during the barbarian invasions on a Roman castrum, it withstood Scaliger raids during the conflict between Brescia and Verona thanks to its walls and seven circular towers.

After renovations to make it a family residence, it became the seat of the Lordship of Ferrante Gonzaga. Here, his eldest son Aloysius was born to his wife Marta Tana di Santena.

After receiving the right to mint coins, Ferrante added a mint building to accommodate his growing family. In 1577, to mark Castiglione’s escape from the plague, Ferrante built the small church of San Sebastiano.

During the War of the Spanish Succession (1706), the castle was destroyed by retreating French troops. Today, a marble marker stands where Saint Aloysius’s room once was.

In this year, celebrating the anniversary of the canonization of Saint Aloysius in 1726, these historic sites await your visit!

Maria Teresa Martini — Moniga del Garda, June 22, 2026

Read more from GN Magazine – July 2026

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