Church of Saint Archangel Michael
Church of Saint Archangel Michael

Gorga. Church of Saint Archangel Michael

The church of Saint Archangel Michael is the oldest in Gorga and seems to have been built on an ancient Roman temple. Following the edict of Theodosius which forced the transformation of all temples into churches and the fall of the Roman Empire, this building was probably transformed into the chapel of the first medieval castle of Gorga, today Palazzo Doria Pamphili.

Its current form probably dates back to alterations in the 14th century and the building appears raised above the square in the castle courtyard. The simple plaster facade is enriched by a door covered in stone, two marble mullioned windows and a central rose window.

The facade then ends with a bell tower with four openings adorned with a clock visible from the historic center and from the countryside. The clock had been inserted in 1891, the year of the inauguration of the sculpture of the shepherdess and of the arrangement of the urban center commissioned by Pope Leo XIII.

The last restoration of 1936 changed some historical features of the building. The interior is in stone and plaster with three naves covered by cross vaults, and the central one ends with a niche on which there is the high altar with the canvas representing Saint Archangel Michael to whom the church is dedicated.

Inside you can admire some statues of saints placed in the niches including that of Saint Domenico Guzman, the patron saint of the town, and a Byzantine cross.

A choir loft for the organ had been built above the entrance to the church.

 



Written by:
Claudia Bettiol

Engineeer, futurist, joint founder of Energitismo and founder of Discoverplaces. Consultant for the development and promotion of the Touristic Development of Territories specialising in...

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