CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DI LORETO
Latest update: 19 March 2022
CHIESA DI SANTA MARIA DI LORETO
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Constructed: 18th century
Style: Baroque
Location: Corso Umberto I, Forio
Situated right in the heart of Forio, this very important Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto became a nucleus for the development of Forio in earlier times. Since the 14th century, there was a small oratory on this spot dedicated to St Mary of Loreto. This structure was amplified and extended over the years, the bell tower and clock being added in 1731 and towards the end of the 18th century, the main altar and internal decoration in lavish black and white marble from Genoa, was complete.
The church was the focal point for welfare within the community, including a hospital for the poor, constructed in 1596. Remarkably it continued to serve the community right up until 1962, where it was the First Aid Headquarters, until a modern hospital was built and took over this function.
The façade, divided into two registers, defined by pilasters, pediment and towers with tiled domes, creates a grand entrance to the church itself. The Latin Cross interior with dome over the crossing, is divided into a nave and aisles by ample arcades – the coffered nave ceiling is elaborately decorated with gold with a painting of The Assumption of the Virgin 17th c.
The interior is rich in art works, some in need of restoration, but nevertheless very interesting - notably: the Vision of S. John (1636) by a local artist Cesare Calise and towards the eastern end of the Church, a large painting of the Madonna of the Rosary (1581) by Aniello de Laudello, surrounded by 15 little scenes depicting the aftermath of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when Christianity was finally triumphant over Islam. Also at the eastern end is a beautiful Annunciation attributed to the local artist Alfonso di Spigna.
Style: Baroque
Location: Corso Umberto I, Forio
Situated right in the heart of Forio, this very important Chiesa di Santa Maria di Loreto became a nucleus for the development of Forio in earlier times. Since the 14th century, there was a small oratory on this spot dedicated to St Mary of Loreto. This structure was amplified and extended over the years, the bell tower and clock being added in 1731 and towards the end of the 18th century, the main altar and internal decoration in lavish black and white marble from Genoa, was complete.
The church was the focal point for welfare within the community, including a hospital for the poor, constructed in 1596. Remarkably it continued to serve the community right up until 1962, where it was the First Aid Headquarters, until a modern hospital was built and took over this function.
The façade, divided into two registers, defined by pilasters, pediment and towers with tiled domes, creates a grand entrance to the church itself. The Latin Cross interior with dome over the crossing, is divided into a nave and aisles by ample arcades – the coffered nave ceiling is elaborately decorated with gold with a painting of The Assumption of the Virgin 17th c.
The interior is rich in art works, some in need of restoration, but nevertheless very interesting - notably: the Vision of S. John (1636) by a local artist Cesare Calise and towards the eastern end of the Church, a large painting of the Madonna of the Rosary (1581) by Aniello de Laudello, surrounded by 15 little scenes depicting the aftermath of the Battle of Lepanto in 1571, when Christianity was finally triumphant over Islam. Also at the eastern end is a beautiful Annunciation attributed to the local artist Alfonso di Spigna.
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