Church of Santa Maria della Carità
Church of Santa Maria della CaritàVia dei Musei, 43 - Brescia BS
The Church of Santa Maria della Carità, also known as the Church of Buon Pastore due to the administration of the adjacent monastery of the same name until 1998, is located along Via dei Musei, at the junction with Via Gabriele Rosa, in the heart of the ancient urban fabric near Porta Bruciata and the Capitolium.
HISTORY
Built between 1640 and 1655 to a design by Agostino Avanzo, the church was commissioned by the priest Pietro Franzoni, with the support of the townspeople, to offer shelter to women redeemed from prostitution. It stands on the site of an older building, erected in 1532 by Laura Gambara, a noblewoman who established it as place of redemption and aid for repentant women. It was no coincidence, therefore, that the first church was dedicated to Mary Magdalene.
In 1658, a model of the Santa Casa of Loreto was placed in the centre of the new building, complemented by copies of frescoes and furnishings. Shortly afterwards, the fresco of the Madonna della Carità, or Our Lady of Charity, was moved here from the cathedral.
In 1730, renovation work began on the church thanks to contributions from nobles and benefactors. Everything was transformed to reflect the Baroque style.
In time, the church was entrusted to the sisters of the Good Shepherd, or “Buon Pastore”, hence its popular name. It reverted to management by the Cathedral in 1998, after the nuns moved to Mompiano.
Ph Fotolive - Christian Penocchio
DESCRIPTION
The Baroque façade, designed by Antonio Spazzi, is an elegant interplay of columns, statues and geometry. Two historical columns, which are conspicuous by their dark Egyptian marble, come from the ancient basilica of San Pietro de Dom, itself built with materials from the Roman forum. A stone palimpsest, chronicling centuries of history at a glance.
Inside, the octagonal floor plan revolves around the Santa Casa of Loreto, amidst plays of light, niches, side altars and refined decorations.
