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Italy Livorno Church of St Catherine 
Located in the Venezia Nuova district, in the centre of Livorno, is the church of Saint Catherine, also known as the Domenicani after the Domenican friars who commissioned it, is a striking example of Baroque architecture. Originally designed by the Italian architect and engineer, Giovanni Del Fantasia (1670-1743) in the Baroque style and modelled on the Pantheon of Rome, construction began in 1720, but due to financial difficulties and structural challenges, Del Fantasia abandoned the work for another contract and a new design was commissioned in 1729. The project then passed through several architects, including Alessandro Saller, Giovanni Masini, and Giuseppe Ruggeri. The church was consecrated in 1753, even though the facade was and still remains unfinished. The lantern tower was completed in 1869. In 1785, the Dominican order was suppressed in Tuscany, and the church was given to the Confraternity of Saints Cosmas and Damian, these being twin brothers and early Christian martyrs. In 1808, Napoleonic forces used the church as a prison. It was re-consecrated in 1822 and reverted to Dominican control in 1871. The church is notable for its tall octagonal dome 63 metres (207 ft) high and lantern which dominates the skyline, rising above its rough, unfinished rectangular base. Although unimpressive from the outside the interior is quite different, containing seven chapels located around the side. The Dome’s Interior decorations and painting in the cupola, were carried out by the Italian painter Cesare Maffei in 1855. They depict the Four Evangelists and scenes from the life of the Virgin.  The dome is supported by eight arches and eight pillars.  To the right on entry, is a chapel dedicated to St. Catherine of Siena, which houses a wooden statue of the saint carved by Cesare Tarrini. Initially the chapel was to be dedicated to St Thomas Aquinas and frescoes depicting the Glory of St Thomas by Giuseppe Maria Terreni are in the chapel.  Tarrini also completed the nativity scene in the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament on the left of the entrance. Also on the left is the Chapel of Saint Joseph with paintings by Jacopo and Antonio Terreni. The main altarpiece: "The Holy Family", being attributed to Domenico Cresti, presents the Rest after the Flight from Egypt. The lower part of the altar contains the remains of Giovanni Masini , the engineer who completed the construction of the church. The walls behind the altar give the sense of depth but are in fact frescoed to giving it a sense of space.  The main altar of the church was designed by Bartolommeo Cassarmi in 1748 and contains frescoes by Giulio Traballesi.  Above the altar is a painting by Giorgio Vasari, The Coronation of the Virgin, this oil painting, was produced around 1571, and was originally housed in the Vatican’s Chapel of San Michele. This was stolen during the Napoleonic era and later sold at auction. In the 19th century, it was donated to the church by Count Antonio Filicchi.  To the sides are canvases by Lorenzo Grottanelli, depicting St Catherine and Pope Gregory XI. By the altar are frescoes depicting St Pius V praying for Victory in Lepanto and St Dominic receiving a Rosary. The Chapel of Jesus of Mercy contains the statue of Jesus, with the marble altar being made in 1854 . The frames in the chapel contain the votive offerings that have been left by people.  It was in this church that Elizabeth Anna Seton, the first American saint, is said to have converted to the Catholic faith: Within the church is a plaque to commemorate this. To see more photographs and take a virtual tour of the site click on the photoshow below. |
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All Photographs were taken by and are copyright of Ron Gatepain
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