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It
is an
imposing brick
structure built
in XV century, on the
site where previously
stood a small church of
St. Mary Magdalene.
During the centuries it
has undergone
numerous
modifications,
until the actual
structure, in which
it is dominated by the
baroque
style.
The external
part, still enables
us to see some elements
of the 14th century
church, like the
arch friezes in
roman gothic
style.
The dome is
octagonal
shaped, while at
the back of the dome
there is a
bell-tower in
Byzantine
style.
Still visible is the
16th
cloister, in a
closed quadrilateral
form, formed by
octagonal pillars, with
stone capitals where in
the middle there is a
well.
You can enter in the
cloister, both from an
internal entrance
of the church, or above
all, from an
independent entrance,
from the moment that
the rooms above are
used as school
classrooms.
On
the main
façade we
can distinguish the
monumental
bronze portal, work
by the Offidian
sculptor Aldo
Sergiacomi. The
work piece, produced in
1994, represents
the gift of Longino
D'Azzone to the
Benedictine monks of
Farfa, the story of the
Eucharistic Miracle and
various Saints.
The
internal part of
the church is a
latin-cross plan, with
only one nave, rich of
gold capitals.
Along the side walls
there are various
niches with
statues of Saints of
the Agostinian order
and minor altars,
decorated by valuable
canvas
paintings.
The major altar,
in marble, is
work of the sculptor
Aldo Sergiacomi, like
also the
way of the
cross stationed
along the walls.
Behind the major altar
there stands a
choir in walnut of
the XVIII century, in
two rows, work of the
so called "Maestro dei
cori".
From here we can enter
the chapel of the
Eucharistic
Miracle.
Above, at the end of the apse, there is
the chapel which keeps the reliquary of the
Eucharistic Miracle, happened in Lanciano in1273, when
Ricciarella, to appease anger to her husband Giacomo Stasio,
decided to mix in his food a pulverised host, which, in fase
of preparation, she transformed into bleeding flesh.
By
this time, after many
events, the rests of
the miracle,
officially
recognized as
one, are kept
inside the
church.
It
deals with fragments
of host transformed
into flesh and blood, a
tablecloth of the
XIII century, the
only exemplary of the
period and an
oil jar with
stains of blood of the
same period.
The fragments of the
host are kept inside a
precious
gilded silver
cross, work of a
Venetian goldsmith of
the XIV century.
The shrine
safely kept inside the
chapel, and protected
by an iron gate and two
large wooden doors, of
the XV century, are
shown to the public
only on the 3rd
May, day dedicated
to the celebration of
the Holy
Cross.
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