Church of St. Mary Magdalen (Bordighera)

Church in Bordighera, Italy

Chiesa di Santa Maria Maddalena

Church of Saint mary Magdalene

Location| Bordighera
Country| Italy
History
Authorising papal bull| 17th century
Consecrated| 1617
Architecture
Functional status| Chiesa parrocchiale
Style| Rococo
Specifications
Number of towers| 1
Administration
Province| Province of Imperia
Diocese| Ventimiglia-Sanremo
Clergy
Bishop(s)| Antonio Suetta
Dean| Bordighera

The church of Saint Mary Magdalene is a church located in Piazza del Popolo in the centre of Bordighera on the Riviera in Province of Imperia, Liguria, Italy. The church is home to the parish of Bordighera and of the Nervia Valley diocese of Ventimiglia-Sanremo. The church is part of the properties protected by the Superintendent of Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism (Italy).[1]

## History and description

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Built in the early 17th century, the church was consecrated in 1617 and later renovated in 1866 embellishing it with new gilded stucco. According to local tales, the residents of the parish paid for the renovations with the spontaneous donation of jewelry to the parish priest.

Between 1881 and 1883 there was a second restoration, and it seems that the pastor, Father James Avenue, due to the very small budget, urged businessmen, artists and intellectuals to participate in various ways in the restoration of the religious building. Thanks to a letter of businessmen Mombelli and Bulgheroni, we know that the plans were sent to Charles Garnier (architect). Without reliable data it can only be supposed that Garnier provided some simple advice to the restoration of the church.[2]

The facade, decorated with Rococo style stucco is from 1906.

Above the portal is a fresco depicting Mary Magdalene (1742) by Giacomo Raimondo, subsequently upgraded in 1922 by Luigi Morgari. The Stucco, dating from 1670, are the work of Francesco Marvaldi (1647-1706), member of the family of Marvaldi Candeasco at Oneglia, famous architects of the time.[3] The chandelier in the middle of the vault is a gift from Queen Margherita of Savoy.

On the main altar is a marble statue of the 18th century, the '’'Maddalena in Gloria'’', designed by Filippo Parodi and possibly carved by his son Domenico Parodi between 1714 and 1717. The wooden statue of the Our Lady of the Rosary of 1702 is placed on a side Rosary altar, while the famous wax statue in which are placed the relics of Sant'Ampelio - patron of Bordighera - is positioned in the second altar on the right of the church.

The Bell tower, separated from the church, stands above a Loggia of the late Middle Ages, dominating the profile of the Old Town with a Spire decorated with painted Maiolica tiles. Historically it was a medieval watchtower, used by the inhabitants to watch for pirate boats coming from the sea, which was frequent in that period. The tower was later elevated to become in the 18th century the current bell tower.

## Photo gallery

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* Main altar of St. Mary Magdalen Church

* Church St. Mary Magdalen inner right view

* Church St. Mary Magdalen inner left view

## References

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1. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-09-19.`{{cite web}}`: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
2. ^ [Charles Garnier and the Riviera Andrea Folli and Gisella Merello ISBN 978-888163-164-3]
3. ^ Gandolfo, Andrea (2005). La provincia di Imperia: A-L. ISBN 9788879040112.

## External links

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* architecture portal
* Italy portal
* Religion portal

* site of the diocese of Ventimiglia-San Remo[permanent dead link‍]

43°46′50″N 7°40′25″E﻿ / ﻿43.7805°N 7.6737°E﻿ / 43.7805; 7.6737