Oratory - (Calabria)

Archconfraternity of the SS. Rosary

Foundation year: 1401

City: Catanzaro

Archdiocese: Catanzaro-Squillace

Artistic artefact (canvas, fresco, statue, etc.): Oratory of the SS. Rosary of Catanzaro

Title: Congrega / Oratory of the Archicofraternity of the SS. Rosary of Catanzaro

Dimensions: 9x20x10 m

Year of execution: Inaugurated on May 21, 1621; contemporary marble floor; wall stuccoes 1683; wooden carvings XVII-XVIII century; Diego Grillo da Pizzo wall paintings and ceiling stuccoes XIX century.

Author (with year of birth and death): Stucco and intaglio authors: Ignoti. It is assumed that they are artisans of local, Calabrian or southern shops in general

Brief description of the work and author profile: The Congrega is the historical seat of the Archconfraternity of the SS. Rosario di Catanzaro, which has aggregated the Fratria del Sangue di Cristo and affiliated the Confraternity of the SS. Rosario di Gagliano, from 1855, that of Taverna and from 1858 to that of Stalettì. The Congrega is a very important place for the city being of great historical, cultural and artistic value. It is a notable example of the regional baroque. Despite the loss of the coffered ceiling and the altar both in pure gold, it still maintains its great artistic value that easily accompanies with deep charm, a great emotional concentration. At the bottom of the photo there is the great prioral chair and the rest of the seat. On both sides the wooden setting is straight and continuous with high backs divided by mirrors and pilasters with Corinthian capitals. The seating orders are 3, divided by 2 balustrades with turned columns with the seat further down once reserved for novices. The whole wooden apparatus in walnut is characterized in the upper part by the continuous carving with spirals with denticles, cornice and molding with curved ribbon with vases while, in the short wall, the curved shapes are more elaborate and accompanied by ansatì vases and anthropomorphic faces. The Stuccos partly repeat the decorative motifs by adding festoons with drapery and fruit. Central element of relief is the elaborate coat of arms of the Archconfraternity of the SS. Rosary accompanied by two angels in relief in the round. At the top of a scroll appears the writing ANNO DOMINI 1683 above, while on the opposite wall, which is without wooden stalls, there is an empty niche above the inscription REGINA SACRATISSIMI ROSARII.

Compiled by the Attorney Prof. Sandro Scumaci