CHIESA SANTA MARIA DI LORETO – Campora

CHURCH MADONNA OF LORETO

Ancient church dedicated to St. Mary of Loreto, erected in 1478 by Teodosio Acampora, enlarged in the first half of the 1700s and restored after the 1980s earthquake. It was the parish seat, as evidenced by pastoral visits, from 1572 until 1942 after the collapse of the ancient church of San Martino Vetere, which was located downriver from the town.

Description and artwork

Period: 15th century

In the ceiling of this church there is a valuable painting by the Neapolitan artist Mozzilli, with embellishments in the margins by the well-known artist Panareil. By the same Angelo Mozzilli are the altarpiece, depicting Our Lady of Loreto with the patron saints Martin and Anthony Abbot, and the fresco in the presbytery vault depicting the Presentation in the Temple. After the 1980 earthquake, frescoes were discovered in the Naclerio chapel, depicting the Easter triduum, dating from around the first half of the 1500s. In the same chapel is a small canvas depicting St. Anthony of Padua by Ragolia.

On the right wall of the single nave is the monumental tomb of General Avitabile with epitaph.

Note that on the other side of the wall stands the house in which Avitabile was born on October 25, 1791.

In S. Martin the God and the Dead charity fund was established under Duke Piccolomini.

In the 18th century Archbishop Michele Bologna, visiting S. Martino, wanted to become aware the of each chapel conditions. In the end, he had the one of S. Antonio patronaged by the heirs of Lorenzo Avitabile, the one of S. Francesco patronaged by the noble Eboli family, and the one of S. Caterina patronaged by the Avitabile heirs demolished. Thus remained the chapels of the Rosary and the Savior under the patronage of Naclerio, the altar of S. Giovanni under the patronage of the Scatola nobles, the altar of S. Trofimena also of the Scatola nobles, and the Chapel of S. Vincenzo erected by the worshippers. It appears that the chapel of S. Trofimena originally belonged to the Pironti nobles.

In 1799, as soon as the Neapolitan Republic was established, the Tree of Liberty was planted in the small square in front of the church in the presence of the then mayor and decurions.

In 1844 new bells were placed on the bell tower at a cost of no less than 252 ducats shared among the chapels of St. Mary of Loreto, the Name of God and the Rosary, the fund of the Dead and that of the Savior under Naclerio patronage. Struck by lightning during a very violent thunderstorm on Jan. 5, 1858, the church and bell tower had to be repaired because the walls were devoid of plaster.