Sunday, September 6, 2009

San Ferdinando

San Ferdinando church, LivornoWe have already seen the church of “San Ferdinando”, known as “Crocetta” (Little Cross), in a couple of images of the post about the redigging of an old canal in the Venice quarter.San Ferdinando church, LivornoThe works for the church started in 1707 on a project by Giovanni Battista Foggini. The construction was completed only ten years after, with the intervention of Giovanni del Fantasia. He was the architect of both the other churches of the Venice quarter: the “Luogo Pio” and “Santa Caterina”.Plaque, San Ferdinando church, LivornoThe church barely escaped destruction during the last war, only the bell tower and the adjoining building were damaged and had to be rebuilt.

See also: Inside San Ferdinando
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15 comments:

  1. stromsjoSeptember 6, 2009 at 12:06 AM

    Just goes to show, sometimes it really takes an architect.

    Speaking of which - what would it take to make us dig that re-digging of the old canal? Time will tell. (Or dig.)

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  2. LowellSeptember 6, 2009 at 1:31 AM

    I'm glad you got some cars in the photo as it shows just how big that building is...

    Isn't this architecture a bit unusual for an Italian Catholic church?

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  3. brattcatSeptember 6, 2009 at 2:16 AM

    So interesting, particularly the side of the church facing the canal. Those doors and the shutters are such rich old wood and I love the close up you give us over the door of the medallion and its context. But is that graffiti on the building with the clock (and bell tower)? Who would scrawl graffiti on a church?

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  4. HildaSeptember 6, 2009 at 2:26 AM

    I am intrigued by the rough facade and smooth sides, and why the treatment is so different. Of course, I like the textured front better, though it looks like it's missing a couple of statues.

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  5. Debbie Courson SmithSeptember 6, 2009 at 4:45 AM

    How stunning the difference between the sides.

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  6. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2009 at 5:11 AM

    It's like the building is two-face!

    Nice.

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  7. Leif HagenSeptember 6, 2009 at 5:31 AM

    The rough canal side of the church is quite different! Did they run out of peach colored plaster? Heavenly photo, Mr. Italy!

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  8. gogouciSeptember 6, 2009 at 6:20 AM

    Very interesting photos of a very interesting building.

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  9. Cezar and LéiaSeptember 6, 2009 at 11:21 AM

    Beautiful church!
    I also like the header photo, contrasting the sail boats with a big cargo ship on the background, clever picture!
    God bless you!
    Cezar

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  10. amatamari©September 6, 2009 at 2:09 PM

    Always interesting the history that
    the monuments tell ...
    Thanks!

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  11. AnonymousSeptember 6, 2009 at 6:21 PM

    The old architecture and the dated look about the buildings has a strange appeal. I have seen similar buildings in the south of France and its very different to historical buildings in the UK. Completely different method of construction. Interesting stuff!

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  12. jooSeptember 6, 2009 at 6:32 PM

    It's huge and I also think that a little unusual.

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  13. AndreeaSeptember 6, 2009 at 7:28 PM

    Beautiful church. Quite a contrast between the two sides. I like the brickwork on the canal side.

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  14. tapirgalSeptember 7, 2009 at 12:02 AM

    That was a nice intro with the church in the canal photo and now these photos from a better angle. I always wonder if the "unfinished" side is really unfinished, or did someone steal the materials for another project? Or maybe they ran out of money? It makes an interesting contrast, but I always wonder about the history. Is it because of war damage?

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  15. EllieSeptember 7, 2009 at 6:10 AM

    That wall looks like cut with a cheese knife :) Great effect!

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