The Church of San Giuseppe overlooks the central Piazza Matteotti, one of the main places in the city of San Benedetto del Tronto; the sacred building was the religious reference point throughout the ancient historic center that arose around the characteristic Via Laberinto behind it. It was originally an oratory, a social gathering place. Designed by the Ascoli architect Ignazio Cantalamessa with a single nave, its construction began in 1870.
The architecture of the Church of San Giuseppe
The Church of San Giuseppe is in neoclassical style, enriched by two-tone decorative elements in brick on the simple reddish facade. Here the entrance portal stands out with pilasters, tympanums and stone friezes. And it is crowned by a triangular pediment. Furthermore, the gabled roof is protected by a layer of traditional coppi in laterizio.
The interior of the Church of San Giuseppe
The internal hall has a rectangular plan with a single nave and barrel vault. In particular, it contains some very important artworkIn fact, it houses a valuable canvas by Andrea Tavernier, a highly esteemed 19th-century painter, depicting the "Madonna del Rosario." And another 17th-century work, the "Flight into Egypt" and "The Holy Family," both by local painter Armando Marchegiani. Instead, the white marble altar with mosaic inlays It is made by Giuseppe Pauri, another very well-known local artist. It is completed by a large window decorated with a polychrome composition by the master Marcello Sgattoni.
External and internal restorations
Specifically, from 1988 to 1990, a project by the architect Vincenzo Acciarri was carried out restoration intervention of the whole Church with dehumidification of perimeter walls together with complete renovation of the wooden and brick roof, with the structural consolidation and architectural restoration of the small bell tower of the apse area. Furthermore, the original splendor has been restored frescoes of the vault by Prof. Massimo Ceroni of Offida. Also the presbytery It has undergone a radical renovation with the reopening of the large south-facing window, decorated with a polychrome composition by Maestro Marcello Sgattoni. Then on the east side is a valuable Holy Family by the San Benedetto master Armando Marchigiani. In particular, the altar of Pauri, while retaining its original compositional essence, underwent an adaptation to current liturgical needs.
The recent restorations
In addition to this, in 2000 the restoration of the main door. And in 2001 there was the realization of the new wooden presbytery, a work by the Pulcini carpentry shop of S. Benedetto, designed by the architect Acciarri. As well as a new crescent-shaped glass window in the apse. This commemorates the Jubilee of 2000, built by the Camper company of Atri and donated by the architect Acciarri. Furthermore, in recent years, the rooms next to the church have undergone complete reconstruction. They are now used by scouts.
Historical notes
The first historical records of the Church of San Giuseppe date back to the late 1700s. Specifically, during this period, there was the idea of building a sacred place because part of the population of the small seaside village could not reach other sacred places. But the idea lapsed when the Piceno area was invaded by the troops of Napoleon. And the matter ended up in the archives. Then, in the session of the city council in August 1859, they began to collect some donations. In addition to this, the municipality granted an area free of charge and also allocated the sum of 600 scudi to begin the works. Specifically, during the construction period of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Sea, it was used as a parish church. Then as a subsidiary church. But only in 1926 it was established as a parishAnd in 1959 the Parish of San Giuseppe was entrusted to the Sacramentine Fathers.
Uninhabitability due to the earthquake
It must be said that this important religious building closed due to the consequences of the earthquake of 2016. In fact, the sacred building was declared unusableAnd only after a long process of structural consolidation and safety measures was it reopened to the public about a year ago. Appreciated by many San Benedetto residents, the Church of San Giuseppe is always very popular. Around it and behind it Labyrinth Street takes place traditional feast of St. Joseph, in the month of March.
Thanks for the cover image: Patrizia Cicconi
