The decision to build “Santa Maria del Soccorso” came after a deadly outbreak of cholera in 1835, when a group of citizen started raising funds for the construction of a new church to invoke the protection of Saint Mary. Built on a project by the florentine architect Gaetano Gherardi (1799-1891), the temple took over twenty years to be completed, resulting in an imposing structure amidst a 40,000 square meters public park placed on the axis of “Via Magenta”.
The church was spared by the last war and, until the reconstruction of the destroyed Cathedral, it was the heart of the religious celebrations of the Diocese of Livorno. A bell tower was projected but never built. The park became “Piazza Magenta”, then “Piazza della Vittoria”, though everybody still call it by its old name.
The decision to build “Santa Maria del Soccorso” came after a deadly outbreak of cholera in 1835, when a group of citizen started raising funds for the construction of a new church to invoke the protection of Saint Mary. Built on a project by the florentine architect Gaetano Gherardi (1799-1891), the temple took over twenty years to be completed, resulting in an imposing structure amidst a 40,000 square meters public park placed on the axis of “Via Magenta”.
The church was spared by the last war and, until the reconstruction of the destroyed Cathedral, it was the heart of the religious celebrations of the Diocese of Livorno. A bell tower was projected but never built. The park became “Piazza Magenta”, then “Piazza della Vittoria”, though everybody still call it by its old name.
8 comments:
Very interesting. You have such a rich heritage
What's it like inside? I like the composition of the 1st photo very much.
Pas besoin d'être désolé pour les reflets !
Another beautiful and interesting church with a past. It fascinates me how tragedy can cause people to redouble their religious fervor and then create something like this.
I do like the churches of Italy. They're so beautiful and varied.
Beautiful! I like these photos! Great captures!
Excellent photos and I really like the first photo. good information also!
I love the architecture and how well manicured the lawns are.
I like the shot of the cupola!
Post a Comment