Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio (Purgatorio)

The Purgatorio church in the Maio

In the upper part of Casamicciola, along Via D'Aloisio, stands a church with modern lines that holds more than three centuries of history. Locals simply call it “il Purgatorio”, a name that has spread to the area between Piazza Maio and La Rita; documents list it as Santa Maria del Suffragio, and since the 18th century it has also been the church of the Addolorata, after the Marian devotion that took root here.

History

The church was founded in 1693 under the title of Santa Maria del Perpetuo Suffragio, linked to prayer for the souls in Purgatory. In 1705 it is recorded as the Venerable Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio, known as the Purgatorio: at that time it had a Latin-cross plan, three small aisles, three doors and four altars, and the dead were buried there. Around 1750 it became the centre of devotion to Our Lady of Sorrows in the Maio area.

In 1867 the historian Giuseppe D'Ascia described it as a “modest little church” just below the square; paintings of the period show, however, that like the parish church in Piazza Maio it too was crowned by a small dome on a drum, part of the distinctive skyline of upper Casamicciola.

The church's rebirths

After 1883 the lay charitable confraternity of Santa Maria del Suffragio, which had its seat there, moved for some years to the church of San Pasquale Baylon. The building was rebuilt in 1890 in line with the new building regulations: no more dome, but a flat roof and a lower height. Restored in 1949, the church was struck by fire on 25 September 1969, and the statue of the Addolorata was brought to safety. In the 1970s it was rebuilt to a design by the engineer Franco Tiscione, with contributions from the faithful of the Maio and La Rita.

Architecture and works of art

The façade, with the bell tower on the right, has simple, modern lines. Its only decorations are two brightly coloured ceramic-tile rose windows, the work of local craftsmen: the one in the centre of the pediment depicts the souls in Purgatory with two angels, the other the Pietà. Inside, look out for the four stained-glass windows dedicated to the four Evangelists, the semicircular seat behind the altar facing the congregation and the statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, dating from the early 20th century.

Before your visit

Before visiting, it is advisable to check with the parish of Santa Maria Maddalena on the state of the building.

Where it is and how to get there

The church is on Via D'Aloisio, a short distance from Piazza Maio, in the hillside part of town. You can reach it by car, taxi or the buses that climb to the Maio, then continue on foot.

What to see nearby

Nearby are Piazza Maio, the old heart of Casamicciola before 1883, and the sanctuary of Maria Santissima Immacolata at the Sentinella. Heading down towards the coast you come to the basilica of Santa Maria Maddalena, reborn further down after 1883.