Known as one of Bra's greatest masterpieces, the Church of Santa Chiara was designed by the Turinese architect Bernardo Antonio Vittone and commissioned by the Clarisse nuns, already present in Bra since the previous century.
The construction of the imposing church began in 1742 and involved considerable economic effort for the nuns, so much so that much of the work to complete it lasted until 1786, although it was opened to worship in 1748. After a first abandonment by the nuns from 1802 to 1816 following the Napoleonic suppression, the church was finally confiscated from them in 1883. It was only in 1930 that the Padri Cappuccini redeemed and restored it, later passing it to the Municipality of Bra.
The church is considered a masterpiece of Piedmontese Rococo and has a four-lobed structure set on large pillars to support the double perforated dome and the small dome. Inside, the two side altars are decorated by the painter Piero Dalle Ceste, while behind the magnificent high altar is the choir, which, thanks to its perfect acoustics, now hosts interesting musical events. Noteworthy is the marvellous decoration of the second vault, by the Braidese artist Pietro Paolo Operti, enhanced by the effects of light created by the openings of the double dome.
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