A protective symbol of the late Middle Ages

The façade of Palazzo Alberti Colico in Trento features the symbol of the sun with 12 primary rays and 144 minor rays with the trigram of Christ “IHS” (Holy Name of Jesus) on the inside; what's its meaning?

[ Soprintendenza per i beni culturali]

On the façade of Palazzo Alberti Colico in via Belenzani in Trento, which is frequently admired for its frescoes of the sixteenth century, there is also a stone relief whose meaning is not widely known, especially for its importance.

It is the symbol of the sun with 12 primary rays and 144 minor rays with the trigram of Christ “IHS” (Holy Name of Jesus) on the inside. St. Bernardine of Siena (died in 1444 and canonized in 1450) used to show it painted over a small wooden board to the crowds of the faithful who flocked to the streets to listen to his famous sermons.

“In the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven, and on earth and under the earth” (Philippians 2: 10): thus he used to exhort Christians to honor Christ. After his death in 1444 and canonization in 1450, exposing the Holy Name of Jesus (also without Bernardine’s picture) became widespread in Trento and in the whole province - as he himself had hoped in his sermons:

“Così voi prego... il teniate a le case vostre, all'uscio e anco all'uscio de le camare vostre...” (“I beg you… to keep it in your homes, on the door, and on your bedrooms’ door…”) (Le prediche volgari. La predicazione del 1425 in Siena - i.e. Popular preaching. The sermons of 1425 - edited by C. Cannarozzi, Firenze 1958, II, page 180).

It was then in 1452 that the convent of St. Bernardine of the Friars of the Observance (of St. Francis’ Rule) was founded in Trento.

The symbol of St. Bernardine gradually became a powerful protective symbol, thanks to the devotion to the great Franciscan saint. In fact, in his sermons Bernardine used to say: “Portatelo adosso, o scritto o figurato, e non potrai capitar male” - “Wear it any time, either written or illustrated, and you won’t get into troubles” - (Le prediche volgari).

It was therefore in the hope of the divine help, that Bernardine’s symbol was sculpted on the façade of Palazzo Alberti Colico.

Similarly, the painting on the façade of the so called “Casa dei Martiri” (i.e. House of Martyrs) of Sanzeno, in the Val di Non, can be attributed to the same prayer to God of protection against Earth’s evils. It is also the case of other buildings to be found in the ancient territory of the Prince Bishopric of Trento.

Laura Dal Prà

01/12/2014