Hidden gem in centre of Sorrento
Behind a dark, wooden door in Via Antonino Sersale, just off
Corso Italia and close to the Duomo, is the beautiful Baroque Church of the
Servants of Mary.
It was built in the 18th century for the congregation of the
Servants of Mary (Venerabile Congregazione dei Servi di Maria).
 |
| The entrance to the church in Via Sersale |
Inside the Church is a wooden statue of the dead Christ,
created by an unknown sculptor in the 16th century, which is carried each year
on Good Friday through the streets of Sorrento, starting from Via Sersale, by
members of the congregation wearing black robes and hoods, representing a
funeral procession for the death of Jesus.
The Church was completed in 1762 and includes the old chapel
of St Barnaba, which was donated to the congregation in 1717 by Archbishop
Filippo Anastasio.
Unusually, the Church is accessed by a marble staircase,
which leads to a large vestibule, containing an extensive collection of works
of art.
Inside the church, a single aisle leads to a marble altar,
behind which there is a painting in an elaborate gilt frame of the Assumption
of Mary (Assunzione di Maria al Cielo), the work of Carlo Amalfi in 1774.
 |
| Vestibule of Chiesa dei Servi di Maria |
In other rooms there are paintings, books and documents, and
works of art to see. An unusual 17th century statue of the Virgin Mary wearing
an ornate gown interwoven with silver, embroidered in gold, and decorated with
pearls and semi precious stones, is believed to be the only piece of its kind
in the area.
The Church of the Servants of Mary is open to the public
from Thursday to Saturday between 5 pm to 8 pm and on Sundays from 8 am to 12
noon.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteTerrific work! This is the kind of information that are meant to be shared across the web. Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this put up higher! Come on over and discuss with my website . Thank you =) paypal login my account