CATTEDRALE SANTA MARIA DELL'ASSUNTA
Latest update: 19 March 2022
CATTEDRALE SANTA MARIA DELL'ASSUNTA
Constructed: 1752 – 1810
Style: Baroque
Location: Via Luigi Mazzella, Ischia Ponte
Constructed by: Antonio Martinetti
Stucco decoration by: Cesare Starace
The history of the Cathedral of Ischia stretches over centuries. The first church was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 14th century and the following two were built within the confines of Castello Aragonese, destroyed during the Franco-Anglo Bourbon battles of 1809, when the castle was all but reduced to rubble by a mortar bombardment.
The present Cathedral was originally the Augustinian Monastic Church of S. Maria della Scala, which was rebuilt by Antonio Martinetti in the 18th c. However, by royal decree in 1810, this church was given to the Chapter of Ischia and became the cathedral we see today.
Its typical baroque façade in yellow and white stucco is separated from the busy street by a few steps. The confines of the narrow entrance are in sharp contrast to the spacious, rectangular interior, which is divided into nave, aisles and side chapels with paintings throughout by Alfonso Spigna (1697 – 1785) and Giacinto Diano (1731 – 1803). A much venerated icon of the Madonna, (date unknown) painted on panel, rescued from the ruined castle, hangs in the south chapel, at the eastern end, and in the north chapel there is a large 13th century, wooden crucifix.
One of the great treasures of the church, to the left of the entrance, is the collection of stone, spiral columns from the Castle Baptistery and a font with an exquisite stone basin, supported by three very fine figures, representing the Virtues of Fortitude, Justice and Prudence, holding a very docile pig!
Style: Baroque
Location: Via Luigi Mazzella, Ischia Ponte
Constructed by: Antonio Martinetti
Stucco decoration by: Cesare Starace
The history of the Cathedral of Ischia stretches over centuries. The first church was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in the 14th century and the following two were built within the confines of Castello Aragonese, destroyed during the Franco-Anglo Bourbon battles of 1809, when the castle was all but reduced to rubble by a mortar bombardment.
The present Cathedral was originally the Augustinian Monastic Church of S. Maria della Scala, which was rebuilt by Antonio Martinetti in the 18th c. However, by royal decree in 1810, this church was given to the Chapter of Ischia and became the cathedral we see today.
Its typical baroque façade in yellow and white stucco is separated from the busy street by a few steps. The confines of the narrow entrance are in sharp contrast to the spacious, rectangular interior, which is divided into nave, aisles and side chapels with paintings throughout by Alfonso Spigna (1697 – 1785) and Giacinto Diano (1731 – 1803). A much venerated icon of the Madonna, (date unknown) painted on panel, rescued from the ruined castle, hangs in the south chapel, at the eastern end, and in the north chapel there is a large 13th century, wooden crucifix.
One of the great treasures of the church, to the left of the entrance, is the collection of stone, spiral columns from the Castle Baptistery and a font with an exquisite stone basin, supported by three very fine figures, representing the Virtues of Fortitude, Justice and Prudence, holding a very docile pig!
Related links
|
|
