The church of “Nostra Signora del Rosario” (Our Lady of the Rosary) was built in the 50's of last century, where once stood a local
Maronite church. The
Maronite community was active in town since the 17th century: Raffaello De Ghantuz-Cubbe, from a family of Aleppo, was even bishop of Livorno between 1832 and 1840.
In 1888 the community obtained the old chapel of “Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi”, restored it and opened the church to cult in 1890. In few years even a bell tower was added, while the church received the rank of parish.
(Old photo from Wikipedia)
The dwindling Maronite presence led, after the last war, to the construction of the new church, without leaving trace of the original building. We like to think, without any real proof, that at least the four original bells still have a place on top of the new tower.
The church of “Nostra Signora del Rosario” (Our Lady of the Rosary) was built in the 50's of last century, where once stood a local Maronite church. The Maronite community was active in town since the 17th century: Raffaello De Ghantuz-Cubbe, from a family of Aleppo, was even bishop of Livorno between 1832 and 1840.
In 1888 the community obtained the old chapel of “Santa Maria Maddalena dei Pazzi”, restored it and opened the church to cult in 1890. In few years even a bell tower was added, while the church received the rank of parish. (Old photo from Wikipedia)
The dwindling Maronite presence led, after the last war, to the construction of the new church, without leaving trace of the original building. We like to think, without any real proof, that at least the four original bells still have a place on top of the new tower.
14 comments:
The new building certainly has a different facade than the architecture that I normally see on your blog. Your commentary on the background of the posts are always informative, and I look forward to them because I learn so much!
I'm vacationing on an island in Wisconsin and get a very poor signal. I'll be back whenever I can!
Sorry I'm not much of a fan of that kind of church, though the history of course is interesting!
Starbucks? Traitor!! ;-)
All I can say is, I'm so glad my local church looks nothing like this one!
I wonder if 300 years from now people will be looking at this and think it's charming, like we do when we see churches built in the 1700's.
I'm a big fan of the 50s architecture. This is a very interesting structure, but it's sad the original building has been destroyed.
I'm a bigger fan of older churches, but I find this one very interesting especially the bells, and the tower which reminds me of a lighthouse.
I agree the top of the bell tower is the most fascinated part - in the first second i thought - they put a gazebo on the top - when I realized it is a bell tower was a bit disappointed - wouldn't be fun to sip coffee at the top :)
That is certainly an unusual building from my perspective...especially for a Catholic church in Italy.
I kind of like it, though.
Even if it is leaning a bit. Heh. Heh!
Have a great evening, my friend!
I had never heard of the Maronites, that link was interesting to read. I don't have much good to say about modern Italian church architecture, however...
I just love church pictures, and these are adorable!
Great detail from this bell!
Léia
It's really interesting example of the 50th architecture. I must tell that I quite like the style.
Interesting architecture. Maybe it's not very beautiful but it's really characteristic and worth to see.
I posted the berries in color too :) I wanted to thank you for visiting my mom's site /Nadine, BG/ - her English is limited - and she is a rookie in blogging - I hope she will start using the net translator soon and respond herself :) I'll let her know to write where exactly in Italy are those pictures from. I believe it is Milano, but my sister went also to Rome - so I'm not sure.
That church is slightly bizarre-looking, but I like its simple lines. It looks so much better than the apartment building next to it. Wouldn't it be amazing if someone designed some nice-looking apartments? I'm sure there are many, but there are also many that are horrible. We have a couple in Astoria that look like this one. Maybe I'll take their photos on a day when I'm feeling like making mischief! They are awful!
Almost as if the bell tower is one size too big for the church.
I wonder what those bells would sound like.
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