Chiesa del Purgatorio
Chiesa del Purgatorio
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
237 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
105
Average
27
Poor
1
Terrible
1
AMsays
Thornhill, Canada4,721 contributions
Jul 2022
18th-century baroque church, built between 1725 and 1747is adorned with numerous skulls, skeletons, and death-related decor. Why? Because it was built as a “purgatory church” where people could pray for the souls of the dead who were stuck in limbo in purgatory, between heaven and hell. This day it was not open. The facade shows angels, fruit baskets, and penitents wrapped in flames. The door is divided into 36 squares decorated with four skulls of nobles and clergymen and just under these, four skulls representing common people, with four more on the side of the entrance. Bones also adorn the other squares. Above the door are two skeletons, one with a scythe and one with an hourglass. Remarkable dedication to praying for the dead…
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
phat_dawg_21
Alpharetta, GA16,947 contributions
Jul 2023 • Couples
This church is a short walk along Via Ridola from Chiesa di San Francesco and Chiesa di Santa Chiara.
The Baroque façade is unusual in that it is convex rather than flat. It, as well as the doors, are ornamented with a collection of skeletons, skulls, and pagan symbols.
Written September 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pags-21
Toronto, Canada126 contributions
Aug 2019
absolute gem - must see. we were fortunate to see an abstract art installation in the church which just added to the incredible ambiance of the place.
Written September 1, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KTGP
Adelaide, Australia5,866 contributions
Apr 2016 • Couples
Walking past the Church of Purgatory commands your attention, due to the macabre images of skulls and skeletons. In this wonderful city of rupestrian churches, sadly the ‘normal’ churches get a little left behind and this beautiful church, merits seeking out in its own right.
It is called La Chiesa del Purgatorio Nuovo, as there was originally a Purgatory Church located in the Sasso Caveoso district but was difficult to reach. This church was built in its current location to be more accessible to the parishioners. Building started 1725 and was completed 1747, it was then consecrated 1756. The façade’s theme is death and the redemption of souls, and the carvings and statues reflect this in the form of, skulls and angels. The stunning door has 36 panels and within the panels are carvings of skulls, representing prelates, rulers and citizens, this shows all are equal in death.
The interior is such a contrast to the exterior. Walking through the door, there is almost an expectation of it being dark and dreary based on the façade. It is anything but gloomy, it was such a surprise to see a light and brightly painted church, with the usual frescoes and carvings.
Easy enough to find, without getting lost in the cities maze of streets. Start from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, taking Via del Corso and this leads onto Via Domenico Ridola, where you will find this little church which is such a contradiction.
It is called La Chiesa del Purgatorio Nuovo, as there was originally a Purgatory Church located in the Sasso Caveoso district but was difficult to reach. This church was built in its current location to be more accessible to the parishioners. Building started 1725 and was completed 1747, it was then consecrated 1756. The façade’s theme is death and the redemption of souls, and the carvings and statues reflect this in the form of, skulls and angels. The stunning door has 36 panels and within the panels are carvings of skulls, representing prelates, rulers and citizens, this shows all are equal in death.
The interior is such a contrast to the exterior. Walking through the door, there is almost an expectation of it being dark and dreary based on the façade. It is anything but gloomy, it was such a surprise to see a light and brightly painted church, with the usual frescoes and carvings.
Easy enough to find, without getting lost in the cities maze of streets. Start from Piazza Vittorio Veneto, taking Via del Corso and this leads onto Via Domenico Ridola, where you will find this little church which is such a contradiction.
Written June 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriel H
Bellaire, TX7,096 contributions
Oct 2019
Just a block or so from the Church of San Francesco, this lovely baroque church is in pristine condition. The lovely paintings, the more beautiful stone inlays, the carved pulpit and the impressive neo-clasical entrance present an inviting exterior and a welcoming interior.
Written November 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet C
Greenville, South Carolina, United States19 contributions
Jun 2018
I enjoyed this visit very much. On the summer solstice the light shines through the front window and creates a pattern on the floor. We were here two days prior, but you could see how the sunlight projected through the windows. I enjoyed the peace that existed here. The tile floor was amazing!
Written October 26, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tangoj63
Leighton Buzzard, UK997 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
No charge to visit as this is a working church. Fantastic exterior carving on doors and above masonary. Allow 15 mins unless you are really into churches and have a detailed guidebook to follow and read.
Written September 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jewel236
Melbourne, Australia348 contributions
Sep 2016 • Friends
There are thousands of churches in Italy & after a while it can seem like overload. However, the Church of Purgatory offers something completely different. Skulls in pontiff hats, crowns & tiaras decorate the doors, and death/crossbone images are found throughout. IMO it is certainly worth a look.
Written September 12, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
InvincibleKP
Sydney, Australia464 contributions
Aug 2015 • Couples
Despite having been completed in 1747, the Chiesa del Purgatorio Nuovo has a late Baroque façade, by Giuseppe Fatone, from Andria. It was built with funds from the Confraternity for the Poor Souls in Purgatory and donations from the citizens of Matera themselves, who also willingly played their part in the actual building of the church. Its recurring and only theme is Death, which was very fashionable at the time and which was considered not as an end, but as the beginning of a better life. The line of the elevation is original in that it curves, rather like a Bishop’s mitre, and is divided into two parts by a string course and articulated by four pilasters supporting acroteria and phytomorphic volutes. In the upper part, there is a Madonna and Child in the niche and carved decorations of angels, garlands of flowers and fruit and rather unusual flames enveloping repentant souls. Meanwhile in the lower part, which is more detailed, the Archangel Michael is in the right niche and the Archangel Raphael in the left. The most unusual and interesting feature is the large doorway carved with volutes, with damned soul flanked by two skeletons on the architrave. The wooden door is divided into 36 panels, each devoted compulsively to the theme of death, with skulls and crossbones sometimes crowned with headgear belonging to rulers and prelates, intended to emphasise the fact that all men are equal after death.
Written August 23, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucifer44
Budapest, Hungary16 contributions
Oct 2019
This hotel is on the top of Matra hill oposite to Kékes which is a litle bit higher point of thte mounten..
The location of the hotel is beautiful good start point of treckings..
In the hotel you can find good wellnes sauna inside and outside,jogging room is well equiped.
Kitchen is excellent,breakfest and diner with good selection of food.
Hotel serviceis high quality.
We visited there in october the wood was colorful,but any seasonare good to visit.
Price and vaue in balance.
The location of the hotel is beautiful good start point of treckings..
In the hotel you can find good wellnes sauna inside and outside,jogging room is well equiped.
Kitchen is excellent,breakfest and diner with good selection of food.
Hotel serviceis high quality.
We visited there in october the wood was colorful,but any seasonare good to visit.
Price and vaue in balance.
Written November 23, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
mogulito
Los Angeles, California
When is it open to the public to go inside?
Written September 21, 2018
Gli orari sono dalle 9:30 alle 13 e dalle 15:30 alle 19.
Written September 21, 2018
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