The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore of Mirabella Eclano is located in the historic center of the municipality of Irpinia.
Founded in the Norman era, in what was once called Acquaputida, the Mother Church is linked to the cult of the Madonna del Sacro Latte, a relic of which would have been kept in the Mirabella community. The current layout, dating back to the 18th century and with a single nave, onto which eight chapels delimited by marble balustrades open, was restored after the earthquake o read more
The Church of Santa Maria Maggiore of Mirabella Eclano is located in the historic center of the municipality of Irpinia.
Founded in the Norman era, in what was once called Acquaputida, the Mother Church is linked to the cult of the Madonna del Sacro Latte, a relic of which would have been kept in the Mirabella community. The current layout, dating back to the 18th century and with a single nave, onto which eight chapels delimited by marble balustrades open, was restored after the earthquake of November 23, 1980 and bears the signs of all periods of the city's history.
Today the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore has a Latin cross plan with an apse, the result of the addition of the transept. The facade is made of light stone slabs, defined by pilasters and four chapels which, until 1980, contained the statues of San Benedetto, San Francesco, San Guglielmo and San Vincenzo.
Inside there is a majestic Christus gaudens, a wooden crucifix from the 12th century and evidence of the penetration of Norman models into the regions dominated by the Altavillas. The stone baptismal font dates back to the same historical period and is characterized by a deep circular space with the protruding symbols of the four evangelists. The wooden ceiling painted in squares and with floral shoots, enriched by a large central canvas depicting the Assumption of the Virgin, was painted in 1749 by Giuseppe Tomajoli, an artist of Apulian origins, while along the sides of the nave, above the frame, there are eight ovals depicting the four evangelists and the four doctors of the Church. Finally, the side chapels include paintings, marble altars and statues of saints, including two valuable busts of San Prisco, protector of Mirabella Eclano, as well as an urn containing his remains.
A place of worship of high artistic value, the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore in Mirabella Eclano is an almost millenary testimony of history and faith. read less
