The Replica of the Sacred House at Loreto is kept in a rectangular room next to the Santa Matia dell’Aiuto church.This was built around 1740 on orders from Canon don Lauria who, after having visited the sanctuary at Loreto, wanted for Catania a copy of the sacred House that according to legend was brought to Italy by the angels.
The history of the Sacred House has its roots in medieval legends linked to the Crusades. Indeed, it is said that in 1291, following the Muslim invasion of Palestine, the house where Mary was born and where she first receive the Angel Gabriel was transported by the angels first to Tersatto, near Fiume and then to Loreto where the sanctuary was built.
The house in Catania respects the proportion of the original, but is not a photographic copy. In some details (the lateral medallions with the figure of Joachim and Anna and Joseph and Mary, the symbolism linked to Mary’s virginity) the copy is original and reflects 1700s’ religiosity fed with new stimuli and theological knowledge.
The constructions of the sacred house is in two parts that must be read consequentially: on the exterior is the elegant marble dressing with characters from the Old Testament and the sybils who, according to medieval tradition, predicted the coming of Christ.
On the interior of the panels, divided by fluted pilasters, episodes from Mary’s life are depicted.
1)First panel: The Birth of Mary. The birth of Mary is one of the events most frequently depicted by Renaissance painters. In the room full of celebrating women, moments of tenderness and joy are lived.
2)Second panel: The Virgin’s Marriage. Many marries Joseph according to the iconography that was dear to the great Raphael.
3)Third panel: Annunciation. The fecund light of God, previously announced by the Angel Gabriel, suddenly enters the room.
4)Fourth panel: Visitation. Mary tenderly embraces Elisabeth, the future mother of John the Baptist.
5)Fifth panel: Census. It was bcause of this census that the Madonna was forced to give birth in a cave or a stable.
6)Sixth panel: Birth of Christ. Christ is born for all good men.
7)Seventh panel: The Three Kings. They came from the East following the prophecies that spoke of a new king for Humanity.
8)Eighth panel: Transit of the Virgin. Mary falls asleep among the apostles who surround her with love.
9)Ninth panel: Translation of the House at Loreto. The angels transfer the Sacred House from Palestine to the hill at Loreto where pilgrims will be able to admire it.
The interior of the house is a faithful reproduction of the origianl with the only difference that the frescoes do not follow the medieval models from Loreto, but interpret the figures in amore modern way, according to the iconography of the 1700s of Canon Lauria.Over the polychrome marble altar reigns the image of Mary Queen of the Sky, wearing dalmatic robes which lend her dignity and sacredness.
Bibliography G. Policastro, Catania nel Settecento, Catania 1950
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