CHURCH OF MATER DOMINI It
is the only church with a dome and a plan in the shape of a Greek cross.
It was built in 1605 on the place where-they say-there was a temple with
the image of the Virgin, painted in fresco. This fresco, touched up by
Giampiero Zullo in the same year, still exists on the high altar. From
an architectonic point of view, the church has a Renaissance style which
is reminiscent of both the church and the dome of st. Eligio of Orefici
in Rome. There is a great similarity between the church of Mater Domini
and St. Vito’s in Lequile, completed in 1670 thanks to the design of
Architect Salvatore Miccoli, who was friends with Giuseppe Zimbalo. The
Madonna col Bambino (the Virgin with the Infant Jesus), a 13th
century fresco touched up by G.P. Zullo and situated on the high altar,
justly belongs to the local artistic heritage; the Incredulità
di San Tommaso (the Incredulity of St. Thomas), a 16th
century painting situated on the left altar, may be also ascribed to
G.P. Zullo.
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THE PRIEST'S LETTER
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Dear friend and friend, welcome in the situated web of the Sanctuary of Mater Domini in Mesagne, province and Diocese in Brindisi. The sanctuary, as you can see in before, since from his construction (1604), you/he/she has always been object of attention from so many devotees that, from the neighbors and distant countries, they hastened near the Mother of the Lord to invoke help and mercy. In the people mesagnese the legend that concerns the elevation of the dome, has existed always then, that, tall, swollen, it towers above some other constructions, as a bead suspended in the air, creating a halo of mystery for its conception and realization. Beside the Sanctuary, rich of history and of secular art, religious aggregations, Brotherhood and Slaves of Maria have bloomed that with patient constancy you/they have promoted in the time the cult to the Virgo of Mater Domini. With joy, therefore, I introduce you this " walk " virtual fruit of the job and the passion of my collaborators Francis and Cosimo Destino, to their first experience of creation of the site. Is able the reading of these pages to renew the enthusiasm and the desire to approach with great interest to that spiritual and artistic wealth that his/her fathers have handed down to us. The Virgo holy Mater Domini blesses us and intercedes for everybody. Mr. Pietro De Punzio, priest |