Santa Maria del Soccorso Abbey

Caccuri's monumental complex Abbey of Santa Maria del Soccorso includes the former Dominican convent and the church, as well as the Cappella della Congregazione del Santissimo Rosario (Chapel of the Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary). 

On entering the church of Santa Maria del Soccorso, visitors immediately notice the Guatemala green marble holy water stoup and the endless series of wooden altars; worn out by the passing of time and the hands of thieves who stole all the the valuable altar frontals, the sole remaining model can be found in the altar of St. Barbara, in the Palatine Chapel of Caccuri Castle.

As visitors walk inside, their attention is immediately drawn to the canvas of the Madonna del Rosario (Madonna of the Rosary), to then observe the contrast between the majestic altar in plaster and the arch in Italian “pietra serena” (grey sandstone) that leads to the Cappella Gentilizia dei duchi Cavalcanti (Chapel of the Dukes of Cavalcanti) who built the chapel so they could attend mass without having to mingle with commoners.

Within the monumental complex of S. Maria del Soccorso, outside the Church, (before the entrance to what used to be the entrance to the cloister) is Caccuri’s true gem in terms of artistic heritage: the Cappella della Congrega del S. Rosario (Chapel of the Congregation of the Holy Rosary), where indulgences have been granted since 1679. Terracotta tiles alternated with eighteenth century majolica tiles in blue shades form the flooring of the chapel, which could be accessed only by the friars of the Congregation and patrons of the Chapel's construction.

References:

• turistcalabria.it

Address

Via XXIV Maggio 34, Caccuri, Italy

Details

Founded: 1542
Category: Religious sites in Italy