Santa Maria del Carmine
(17th century)
Once known as Sant’Angelo dei Greci, this church has its roots in the first centuries of christianity. It was once used by the Greek orthodox community and its history is intertwined with the imposing city walls on which its foundations were laid. Originally dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel, the church experienced a period of decline in the 1500s when its sacred walls became the temporary camp for mercenaries protecting Giovinazzo from the threat of Turkish invasion.
The church was brought back to life in the 1600s thanks to the intervention of the Somaschi Fathers who settled in Giovinazzo and completely restored the church. At the same time, the Confraternity of Carmel was founded who dedicated the church to our Lady of Mount Carmel. Their crest is still visible on the main altar, a sign of the devotion behind this rebirth.
The architecture of the church is simple and solemn with a single nave, the sacristy and a room used for the activities of the confraternity. The history of the church has seen many structural problems requiring conservative restoration work. Its current appearance results from work undertaken in the mid 1800s, and bestows a timeless elegance on the building.
The sacred art present inside the church includes paintings by De Rosa, De Cordoba and De Musso, carried out between the 1600s and the 1800s. Every painting portrays a story of faith and the church has a unique charm not just as a place of worship but also as a treasure trove of art and history.
