From Medieval Origins to Baroque Splendor

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Morano Calabro boasts a rich and fascinating history that traces its roots back to the Middle Ages. Built on an ancient suburban chapel, nestled in an elm forest between two streams, the church underwent expansions and restorations during the 16th and 18th centuries, eventually taking on its current late-Baroque appearance. The 18th-century works, which continued into the early 19th century, gave the building its grandeur, highlighted by the completion of the bell tower (1804-17), the neoclassical façade (1841-1844), and the polychrome maiolica decoration of the dome and bell tower (1862).

Artistic Treasures Among the Naves

The church houses an invaluable artistic heritage that reflects the different eras of its history. Among the most significant works are:

• The Polyptych by Bartolomeo Vivarini: Located in the sacristy, the true gem of the church is this polyptych (Murano, ca. 1430 – Venice, post-1491), dated 1477 and originating from the Church of San Bernardino. This work, unique in Calabria, depicts the Madonna with Child, Christ in Passion, Franciscan saints, and other holy figures. The polyptych attests to Vivarini’s mastery and his artistic influence in the region. Characterized by an enchanting glow due to the gold, it has unfortunately been the subject of several attempted thefts.

• The Baptismal Font of 1579, located to the right of the main portal, completed with a wooden canopy from the late 18th century.

• The Holy Water Font of 1581, created by the same stonecutter as the baptismal font.

• Four paintings in the apse from the 1600s, depicting episodes from the life of Saint Mary Magdalene, works by Pedro Torres, a Flemish-influenced painter active in Morano.

• The wooden coffered ceiling of the sacristy from the early 1600s, executed by local craftsmen and painted in the following century.

• A wooden sculpture of Mary Magdalene from the 17th century, currently located in the left nave.

• A statue of Saint Mary Magdalene, attributed to Michelangelo Naccherino (Florence 1550 – Naples 1622), placed at the center of the presbyterial wall.

Other Noteworthy Artworks

The church also houses several other valuable works of art, including:

• The Madonna degli Angeli of 1505, a white marble statue by Antonello Gagini, a Sicilian Renaissance sculptor.
• The Madonna del Reto, a late 16th-century statue from the Augustinian convent of Colloreto.
• Statues of Saint Augustine and Saint Monica and the marble cornice of the 17th century, also from Colloreto.
• 18th-century marble altars crafted in Naples.

A Heritage to Safeguard and Enhance

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene in Morano Calabro represents an invaluable treasure of art, history, and devotion. Its architectural beauty, its artworks, and its rich history make it a place of great charm and interest. The enhancement of this heritage through restoration work and cultural initiatives is essential to preserve the memory of the past and to introduce this Calabrian gem to a wider audience.

A Gleaming Interior of Stucco and Carvings

Stepping through the threshold of the church, one is immersed in an atmosphere of beauty and refinement. The interior, in late-Baroque style, is adorned with vibrant ornamental stucco motifs that decorate the vault, transept, and apse. This lace-like decoration, illuminated by enveloping light streaming through the large windows, creates a scenographic effect of great impact.

The wall decorations were the work of Donato Sarnicola, a stucco artist active in Calabria during the 18th century, known for his craftsmanship. His hand helped transform the church into a true masterpiece of Baroque art.

Fine Wooden Furnishings

In perfect harmony with the stucco work, the church’s wooden furnishings complete the triumph of late Baroque. Created by the Fusco workshop, woodcarvers of Neapolitan origin but active in Morano, these artifacts bear testimony to the high level of craftsmanship achieved by the local school.

Among the most significant works of the Fusco carvers are the Presbyterial Chair (1757), the Choir (1786–1795), the Lectern (1797), the Pulpit, the Niches of the Sacristy, and other fine works that can be admired in the other churches of Morano.

A Painting Legacy of Great Value

During the 18th century, the church was also enriched with an important pictorial heritage. Several canvases, commissioned from Neapolitan workshops, were added to the walls of the building.

Among the most represented painters are the Sarnelli family, a sort of “family workshop” active in Naples in the second half of the 18th century. They are responsible for works such as the Coronation of the Virgin and Saints Jerome and Nicholas of Bari (1747), The Miracle of Saint Francis de Sales (1747), The Madonna of the Rosary between the Saints (4th altar, left nave), and Saint Teresa of Avila (right transept).

Also of considerable value is The Death of Saint Joseph (1742), a work by Giuseppe Tamajoli, a disciple of the renowned Francesco Solimena. The painting stands out for its monumentality, the grandeur of the figures, and the meticulous depiction of details, as seen in the beautiful still life at the bottom of the painting.

Other Neapolitan painters present in the church include Francesco Lopez, author of the Immaculate Conception in the sacristy (1747), The Sorrowful Virgin, Saint John the Baptist and Saints (1748), and Saint Michael the Archangel (in the sacristy), and an unknown Solimenesque painter who created The Martyrdom of Saint Januarius (mid-18th century).

A Church to Discover and Admire

The Church of Saint Mary Magdalene represents an excellent testament to late-Baroque art in Calabria. Its richness in stuccos, carvings, and paintings makes it a true gem to discover and admire. A place to immerse oneself in beauty and spirituality, and be captivated by the mastery of the artists who contributed to its creation.

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