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Santa Maria della Carita
The story of this church began in 1236 when followers of the Madonna built a hospital for the poor and infirm called Santa Maria della Carita – St Mary of Charity. Almost immediately beside it a church with the same name was erected.
Beside the baptistery at the entrance here is the most precious painting here since it was the first known work by the twenty-two year old Annibale Carracci in 1583. The crucified Christ is surrounded by the Madonna, St Francesco, St Bernardino, St Giovanni Battista and St Petronio. In the next chapel is this one of the Madonna and child by Andrea Besteghi (late 18th century).
Out of Montevglio canon law made the church a parochial seat. The hospital next door then became a center for abandoned children. In 1456 however the hospital moved to another part of the city and the buildings were converted to a monastery for a group of San Franciscan monks.
The interior is made up of just one nave and has four side chapels as well as those at the end of the church. Across the nave is this 18th century statue of the Madonna by Filippo Fedrini.
Near the altar on the right hand side is a small chapel under lock and key which houses a 15th century statue in terracotta of the Madonna and child. Theres also a 17th century crucifix in bronze by Alessandro Alegardi unfortunately just out of sight here.
This is the main altar. The works of art around this presbytery including the painting are by Gandolfi, Calvi and Bezzi. On the altar itself are several gold plated ornaments holding reliquaries. Most often they are the bones of various saints. Since this is a holy week after All Souls day on Novemeber the 1st this public viewing of these reliquaries will only last for one week and afterwards are placed away again until next year.
In 1583 the church was rebuilt by P. Fiorini and was later added to by Bergonzoni in 1680. With the arrival of Napoleons forces the buildings were also used as a military hospital and prison. Other artists whose work can be seen in this church include Galanino, Valesio, Cignani (1680), Franceschini (1685), Quaini and Crespi.
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