Attractions

Casciana Terme Lari | Oratory of Madonna della Neve

The oratory, also known as Madonna di Vaicella, is at the entrance to Lari. It was built on the junction of two roads and in place of a pre-existing church. It represents a remarkable example of minor Baroque architecture.

Two symmetrical grilles at the entrance door show that the oratory was considered an important sanctuary of the cult of the Lady: pilgrims, arriving from the surrounding villages, could venerate the virgin from the portico, even if the church was closed.

In the 17th century, the veneration paid by the faithful to the Madonna della Neve ( Our Lady of the Snow) was very important, so much so that it was deemed opportune to expand the oratory, which was insufficient to hold all the devotees. The object of veneration is a fresco of the Madonna and Child, still undated and unattributed.

The building was completely restored in the mid-18th century. The interior preserves the marble high altar based on a design attributed to the Pisan artist Francesco Melani, a valuable choir by Giovanni Cremoni and a holy water stoup made from a capital from the ancient church of San Bartolomeo di Triano, which has now disappeared.

Ti è stato utile?