|
|
|
 |
 |
 THE CHURCH OF PIEDIGROTTA
|
About 2 km from the historical centre it arises the suggestive little church of Piedigrotta (also called “Madonneja”). It’s visited by tourists coming from everywhere and it’s deservedly classified as original expression of popular art. This church is completely excavated in the tuff and it’s one of the most visited works in Calabria. According to the legend in 1670 a sailing ship was sailing in the gulf far a mile at north of Pizzo when suddenly it sank because of a storm. The captain, foreseeing the imminent death, gathered his men in front of a Madonna di Piedigrotta’s picture and they began to preach. As last act of faith, he vowed, in case of salvation, to build a little church nearby the coast
The seamen managed with several efforts to reach the beach where now the little church raises. The picture of the board chapel lies down on the seashore. The crew of the ship thought about the happened miracle and before leaving, the seamen kept the previous promise and built a little votive church putting the Madonna’s picture over the little altar.
At the end of the XIX century such local artists as Angelo Barone (1845-1917) and his son
Alfonso, gradually enlarged the cave working with pick, hammer and chisel.Using the
tuffaceous rock, they created some statues and sculptural groups reproducing some
scenes inspired by the Holy Scriptures. The church inside presents a rectangular plan and
shows several tuff sculptures into little and very suggestive caves. It is one of the most
visited places in Calabria. |
|
|
|
| |
|
 |
 |
|
Affresco raffigurante
la
battaglia
di
Lepanto |
 |
|
|
 |
Altare Maggiore All'entrata della chiesetta
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Il Famoso quadro della Madonna di Piedigrotta |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
