Sanctuary of the Vergine dei Martiri, Fonni

About

The Sanctuary of the Vergine dei Martiri ("Virgin of the Martyrs") is a religious edifice in Fonni, Sardinia, Italy. On 14 April 1610, the Franciscan father of George Acillara took possession of the place where they would build the church and convent. The site, donated by fonnese Don Stefano Melis, was located in the district Logotza of the "villa" of Fonni belonging to the fief of Mandas.

On the front of the church is still visible above the main door, the emblem of the noble family: an apple tree bearing fruit. The convent and church, dedicated to the Blessed Trinity, was completed after several interruptions around 1632-33. The plan of the church was very simple: a large single barrel vault room, with three chapels on each side and the presbytery where is the picture of Antonio Todde depicting the Trinity.

Attached was the classic facility of the Franciscan convent: a quadrilateral cell overlooking the cloister and the central well. In 1702, after the demolition of the chapel of the Rosarya new edifice dedicated to the Virgin of the Martyrs was begun, which is annexed the one dedicated to the Trinity. The project was completed in October 1706.

The chapel-church is comprised by a...