Santa Maria di Portosalvo

About

The Church of Saint Mary of Portosalvo (Italian: Chiesa di Santa Maria di Portosalvo) is a Neoclassical church with predominant Baroque elements, located in Siderno, in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria, Calabria, Southern Italy. Its main artistic features include the statue of Saint Mary, the bronze portal and the decorative and pictorial cycle, which contains numerous works inspired by Raphael, Murillo, Tiepolo, Velázquez, Guido Reni, and Mattia Preti. The church is situated in front of Portosalvo Square, in the modern part of the city known as Siderno Marina, near the Costa dei Gelsomini. The origins of the church date back to the 17th century. The exact year of construction and its original location remain unknown due to the series of 1783 Calabrian earthquakes. The original structure did not survive these events and was subsequently rebuilt. In 1908, the church was again damaged by an earthquake, followed by a fire in 1921. As a result of this damage, the old church was demolished and a new one was built. Work began in 1929 and the new church was put into use in 1944.

The church dedicated to Saint Mary of Portosalvo is located in the centre of Siderno Marina. Siderno ( Sidernu or Siderni in Calabrian, Sideròni in Calabrian Greek ) is an Italian municipality of 18,231 inhabitants situated in the Metropolitan City of Reggio Calabria.

The church is located in the oldest part of the town, located on a hill at 192 meters above sea level, known as Siderno Superiore, above the modern part, called Siderno Marina, developed near the Costa dei Gelsomini. The ancient part is characterized by 18th-century noble palaces, with distinctive barrel balconies and stone portals.

Siderno is a town with uncertain origins. The original city walls, which protected the upper part of the settlement in the 16th century, have now almost entirely disappeared. Archaeological evidence indicates a Greek presence between the 8th and 6th centuries B.C., followed by a Roman presence. Siderno is first mentioned in written sources in 1220, when it appears in Swabian records. The upper part of the town is shaped like a Byzantine kastron. Originally built as a fortress, it served as protection for both the residents and the authorities over the centuries. During the Middle Ages, it also sheltered people fleeing from the Saracen invasions.

The Parish Church of Santa Maria di Portosalvo is one of several religious buildings in Siderno Superiore, which also include Santa Maria dell’Arco and San Nicola di Bari. It is in proximity to the historic Palazzo De Mojà, a Spanish-era residence featuring distinctive stone balconies. Recently restored, it now hosts various cultural events. Other buildings of historical relevance are historic noble residences, such as the 17th century Palazzo Falletti and Palazzo Calautti, as well as Palazzo Correale-Santacroce, known for its unique sculpture depicting three human faces.

The precise origins of the Church of Saint Mary of Portosalvo, including the date of its first construction and the location of the original chapel, remain uncertain. This uncertainty is largely due to the 1783 earthquakes that struck southern Calabria, initiating a long seismic period that has been described as the most devastating catastrophe to affect southern Italy in the 18th century.

After the earthquake, many residents began moving to Marina di Siderno, resulting in population growth in the area and the consequent expansion of the church.

Reconstruction works took place between 1808 and 1809. The new church featured three naves, three entrance doors, a dome over the presbytery and a bell gable. On the main altar there was an antique painting depicting the church's patroness, Saint Mary of Portosalvo, who would later become the official patron saint of Siderno.

In 1819, a new statue of Saint Mary of Portosalvo, created by Francesco Verzella, was introduced to replace the original painting which had been lost.

By the early 19th century, the church had become a central point for the growing coastal community of Siderno. Its significance continued to increase throughout the following decades, leading to further architectural and spiritual developments in the mid-19th century.

The population of Siderno grew and the town's increasing prominence attracted the attention of local aristocrats. On 19 May 1846, the church was visited by the Royal Family of Naples, including King Ferdinand II, Maria Theresa of Austria, and the future King Francis II of the Two Sicilies. After arriving in Siderno aboard a steam frigate, they traveled to Agnana to tour a newly opened coal mine. That afternoon, they returned to the port, where they were welcomed by Bishop Perrone before proceeding to the church.

The royal visit made a strong impression on the townspeople, who were struck by the family's public display of faith. The visit of the Royal Family of Naples and the large crowd it attracted demonstrated that the church was far too small to accommodate such gatherings.

In the decades following the royal visit, the church continued to serve as the spiritual and social centre of Siderno. By the early 20th century, structural deterioration and natural events posed challenges to its preservation.

In 1908, the Messina earthquake caused further damage to the church, and thirteen years later, in 1921, a fire severely damaged the building. It took an additional two years for the state to grant permission for repairs, delaying the church's return to active use.

In 1923, it was decided that a new church would be built to replace the old, heavily damaged one. The planning stage of the church's construction faced numerous delays. The construction did not begin until 14 August 1929. Problems continued throughout the building process. In 1934, a public meeting was held during which Archbishop Raschellà addressed the community's concerns, explaining that the principal cause of the delay was the intention to enlarge the church to better accommodate the growing population.

During the summer of 1944, the new church was opened for worship, as the old one, previously damaged by fire, had been declared unsafe by the city authorities. The old church was demolished between 1944 and 1946, and some of its materials were reused in the construction of the new building.

On 22 April 1953, the church was consecrated. Father Antonio Incognito was appointed archpriest following the death of Archpriest Raschellà in 1954.

In 1959, a marble column was erected on the site of the old church. Featuring an engraved inscription and topped with a statue of the Madonna, it symbolises the site's sacred significance to the people of Siderno.

As the new archpriest, Father Antonio Incognito oversaw a significant part of the church's renovation. During his tenure, new flooring, stained-glass windows, and marble decorations were added. He also proposed the installation of a bronze main door. He died on 20 December 1987, before the project was completed.

In February 1988, the bronze door selected by Father Antonio Incognito was blessed and installed. Further renovations took place between 1988 and 1989, focusing primarily on the exterior. Some of these renovations involved changing the roofing and replacing the gutters.