Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Cappellina dei Cassieri

Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Michael Archangel, LivornoThis is the maimed statue of the poor archangel on the roof of the “Cappella della Visitazione di Maria e di San Michele Arcangelo” (Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Michael Archangel).
Better known with the simpler name of “Cappellina dei Cassieri” (Cashiers' Chapel), it was bult in 1703 with the contribuition of the money changers of Livorno.Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Michael Archangel, LivornoAn inscription was added in 1932 when the building was restored at the expense of Gino Cipriani, a civil engineer, who wanted to honor his wife recently passed away. It says: “Restaurata nel nome e nella memoria di Giuseppina Cipriani Ricci - Anno Domini 1932” (Restored in the name and memory of Giuseppina Cipriani Ricci - Anno Domini 1932).Chapel of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary and of Saint Michael Archangel, LivornoThe dome was struck by a lighting in 2009, three days after I took these photos, and the cross had to be removed for safety reasons.
This is quite curious condsidering the original inscrpion in front of the chapel:
Sacellum Deiparae Visitationi
et Sancto Michaeli Archangelo dedicatum
Abiit in montana dilectione humilitate et gaudio
Rebelles fulminat gloria, zelo et justitia
I Cassieri di Livorno l'anno 1703


Chapel dedicated to the Visitation of the Mother of God
and to Saint Michael Archangel
(She) went into the hill country with love, humility and joy
(Saint Michael) fulminates the rebels with glory, justice and zeal
The money changers of Livorno in the year 1703

Thanks to my friend Silvestro for the translation from Latin.

17 comments:

Lois Evensen said...

How beautiful. It is so interesting to know the story. I like it that it was the "money changers" to did early financing. :)

We were in a cemetery today taking pictures, too. We pass one regularly near our home so it was time to stop in and take some pictures.

Luis Gomez said...

This is a great post VP. Beautiful chapel.

Michelle said...

A wonderful post. I enjoyed the read.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

It really makes you think when something drastic happens so soon after you've taken a photo! A 'visitation' do you think VP..??

Jack said...

This is another of your very educational posts, VP. The top photo really deserves to be studied after it is enlarged.

Randy said...

Wow that is so beautiful. Great info too.

Dina said...

This is all intensely interesting. What a history here!
The roof tiles are wonderful.

I send you shalom from that same hill country that Mary went into.

cieldequimper said...

Another place begging for restoration. I know there's supposedly no more money anywhere, except maybe in the Vatican?

Traveling Hawk said...

Perfect proportions of the building! I like your posts where you teach us about your town. I already know a lot more about Livorno than when I begun to visit your blog and that's great!

Halcyon said...

A really cute little chapel. At least the little angel is still there to guard it!

joo said...

Very nice little chapel and its guardian angel:)

Birdman said...

I think he's seen better days. Needs a facelift.

Unknown said...

Wonderful, VP! I love that roof.

EG CameraGirl said...

How sad that lightening destroyed something three centuries old. I wonder if someone will find the money to restore it just as Gino Cipriani did.

Gunn said...

Beautiful details and nice to read about it too.

Arianna said...

Apprezzo questa cappellina, questi gioielli andrebbero valorizzati! Ciao, Arianna

Kaori said...

I really like the roof of this building, reminds me of a mermaid. Very fortunate you were no where near it when the lightening struck. Sounds very scary!