Qualso
Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta
17th–20th Centuries
The Parish Church of Santa Maria Assunta, with its 18th-century layout, stands in the centre of the village in a dominant position overlooking the surrounding square, reached by an imposing stone staircase.
Scholars believe that an earlier church dedicated to Santa Maria already existed before the 13th century. The first written record dates to 1353, when Rodulfus de Quals — belonging to the Savorgnan family — bequeathed lands to the church so that Masses might be celebrated on the anniversary of his death.
The building was enlarged in 1456 under Pietro Fanzio, church chamberlain, as recorded by an inscription on the exterior wall of the north apse. It was completely destroyed by the earthquake of 1511, as attested by a commemorative plaque on the outer wall facing the bell tower of the present church.
The church was promptly rebuilt and further expanded in the early 18th century. In 1712, the bell tower was erected on the south side, complete with a clock by Tomaso Cignino of Artegna.
In 1863 a whirlwind caused the collapse of the façade, which was rebuilt the following year, as recorded by an inscription beside the entrance.
Between 1950 and 1964 further works were carried out, including the construction of the chapels of the Sacred Heart and Saint Anthony, the rebuilding of the chapels of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Immaculate Conception, and the construction of the stone staircase.
The 1976 earthquake severely damaged the church, particularly the bell tower, which was demolished due to structural instability and rebuilt on the opposite side of the building, detached from the main body. Restoration works, completed in 1986, included structural consolidation, reconstruction of the roof with metal trusses, and restoration of the interior.
Architecture
The neoclassical façade is articulated by Ionic half-columns resting on a high base and crowned by a triangular pediment with a central oculus. The lintelled portal is completed by an ornamental cornice.
On the north side, besides the plaque recalling the 1511 earthquake, there is a side entrance flanked by a wall-mounted holy water font supported by a carved stone hand dated 1702. On the south side stands the sacristy, accessed through a doorway framed by an elaborate moulded surround.
Interior
The church has a rectangular nave with a presbytery raised by three steps and ending in a semicircular apse.
To the left of the entrance, within a wrought-iron enclosure dated 1719, stands the 18th-century black marble baptismal font, alongside an older stone basin formerly used for the same purpose.
Against the wall is an 18th-century grisaille by Giovanni Battista Tosolini of Tricesimo, depicting the Theological Virtues — Faith, Hope and Charity — relocated after post-earthquake restoration works.
The floor consists of square marble slabs arranged in a diamond pattern in varying shades of grey. The interior is illuminated by rectangular windows and articulated by composite-style pilasters surmounted by a moulded cornice.
Along the side walls are marble altars from the mid-20th century with wooden statues of Saint Anthony and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, as well as the chapels of Our Lady of Sorrows and the Immaculate Conception, which retain their 18th-century altar tables.
Artistic Heritage
In the apse stands the high altar in marble from the second half of the 18th century, crafted by the Valle stonecutters of Tricesimo based on a design by Simone Pariotti of Udine. Flanking the central body are sculptures of Saints Peter and Paul, originating from churches in Venice. At the centre is a small painting of the Assumption by Giovanni Battista Tosolini, surmounted by a statue of Christ the Redeemer (late 18th century).
On the apse wall is an 18th-century fresco depicting the Sacrifice of Isaac, while the vault intersections display roundels with the Evangelists.
Following post-1976 restoration, 16th-century frescoes by Gianpaolo Thanner emerged on the nave walls. On the left wall are scenes of the Creation of Eve, the Expulsion from Paradise, the Flood, and above the side door, the Resurrection of Christ. On the right wall appear the Annunciation, Christ and the Samaritan Woman, and Christ before the Sanhedrin. Above the sacristy door is a fresco of an Angel wielding a sword, surrounded by musical cherubs.
The ceiling frescoes of the nave, depicting the Assumption and episodes from the Temptations of Saint Anthony, were painted in the 18th century by Carlo Boldi of Tarcento.
Noteworthy are the large 18th-century brass chandelier hanging from the centre of the nave ceiling and the organ by the Domenico Malvestio firm, installed above the entrance vestibule and inaugurated in 1927.