The new one is underway 8xmille promotional campaignon air from April 14th, featuring la church of the Madonna del Prato of Gubbio (just below the video), subjected to an important intervention by conservative restoration thanks to you 533 thousand euros coming from the signatures of taxpayers added to 250 thousand euros of funds for the earthquake, made available by the Umbria Region, essential to complete the works.
Jewel of Baroque architecture, erected in 1662 at the behest of bishop Alessandro Sperelli, on the land owned by the Nuns of Santo Spirito, just outside the urban walls of the historic center, the church presents itself with a certain nobility from the outside. Thanks to the intercession of Cardinal Ulderico Carpegna, Bishop Sperelli obtained, with the consent ofauthor Francesco Castelli known as Borromini (1599-1667), the possibility of realizing a replica of the San Carlino alle Quattro Fontane project of the Spanish Trinitarians in Romeconsidered as one of the highest examples of Baroque architecture in Italy.
“The church of the Madonna del Prato is undoubtedly unique from a historical-artistic point of view in the city – explains Elisa Polidoridirector of the cultural heritage office of the diocese of Gubbio and of the diocesan museum – It can be imagined as a treasure chest containing a priceless treasure. Being able to protect an asset like this represents a duty on the part of the entire community and above all by, in this case, the local diocese”.
The planning and implementation of the restoration of the church, made necessary due to the unusability of the sacred building after the earthquake of August 2016, was a work conceived through a shared journey. This choice made it possible to respect, on the one hand, Borromini’s intentions which inspired the building of worship, and on the other, the theological idea and sense of faith to which the church refers. “It is one of the few baroque treasures within the city of Gubbio – explains Francesco Raschiarchitect responsible for the restoration works – Without the contribution of the Catholic Church’s 8×1000 funds, this intervention would never have been realized, not even thought of”.
This is an important conservation and recovery work of a building that bears witness to over 350 years of history. A detailed and complex work which, thanks to 32 workers employedmade it possible to restore the ancient splendor to beyond 600 m2 of stucco consolidated together with 330 m2 of plaster and frescoed surface. The restoration began in 2019 and ended in December 2020, representing a typical example of a masterpiece rediscovered thanks to the 8xmille.
Visited every year by over 12 thousand peopleconsidered one of the most significant buildings in Gubbio, the Madonna del Prato is the fulcrum of the liturgical and pastoral life of the parish community. “With dedication – underlines Don Fabricio Cellucciparish priest of the Madonna del Prato – we carried out a restoration operation to safeguard the church as the beating heart of the community“.
