The Church of Sant’Agostino in Rimini is one of the largest churches in the city, belonging to the order of the Augustinians, an important and powerful confraternity in the eighteenth century. Although dedicated to San Giovanni Evangelista (St John the Evangelist), it is more commonly known as the Church of Sant’Agostino. Built at the end of the 13^th century, the current Baroque aspect is due to the considerable work carried out in the 17^th and 18^th centuries when it was embellished with stuccos by Ferdinando Bibiena, which make up a wonderful ceiling, and frescos by Vittorio Maria Bigari. Not lost however are the works that previously decorated the Church of Sant’Agostino which are considered among the best of the Rimini School of the 14^th century: these can be found in the apse and in the chapel of the bell-tower.

In addition to the two frescos dedicated to the Vita della Vergine (Life of the Virgin) and the Vita di San Giovanni Evangelista (Life of St John the Evangelist) at the back of the apse, you can still admire a moving depiction of Cristo (Christ) and of the Vergine in Maestà (The Virgin in Majesty).  Of the same period, and possibly also by the same artist, is the crucifix painted on a board which can be found on the wall to the right of the nave, between eighteenth century altar-pieces. Further evidence of the complex history of the church are several beautiful stucco statues created by Carlo Sarti in 1750 and a 13^th century wooden statue of Gesù deposto dalla Croce (Descent from the Cross) which came from the old cathedral of Santa Colomba.

When you leave the church, you can go to the Pescherie portico for a whole new perspective of the eighteenth century.