Chiesa di San Lorenzo
(14th century)
In 258 A.D. Emperor Valerian instigated a fierce persecution of christians, condemning bishops, priests and deacons to death. In Rome, many of these martyrs faced their destiny with courage and never lost their faith in Christ. The deacon Lawrence was one of these and stands out for his extraordinary martyrdom: he was burnt alive on a gridiron. This dramatic episode is commemorated in the bas-relief of the small church dedicated to him, commissioned in 1305 by the cleric Petracco Pavone, also depicted next to the scene of torture.
The church of San Lorenzo is one of the more modest in the town but rich in significance. It has a slightly trapezoidal plan and the two doors lend an air of simplicity and sobriety, also reflected in the façade which has a small single lancet window and bell gable. Inside the church the atmosphere is equally modest but is adorned by the 17th century painting by Carlo Rosa depicting the martyrdom of St. Lawrence. This painting and other decorative elements keep the memory of the martyr alive. The church is under the tutelage of the Sagarriga-Marziani family and is connected to the cult of Our Lady of Grace.
The devotion to the Madonna is mainly due to the 19th century theologist and historian, don Luigi Marziani. Author of Istorie della Città di Giovinazzo, don Luigi did not just write about the history of the town, he also turned the church into a school for the needy, making it a centre of education and hope. In a gesture of great piety, the priest commissioned a statue of the Virgin Mary with Child, created in the French town of Sèvres, famous for its porcelain. This statue became a symbol of local devotion. Today the Marziani family is still responsible for dressing the statue for the celebration which takes place in May, continuing a tradition which honours the past and celebrates the community’s faith.
