April 10, 2024 - 10:29 am

A treasure rediscovered, the Madonna del Prato restored in Gubbio

Thanks to the 8x1000 funds destined for the Catholic Church, Borromini's masterpiece has returned to its former glory and the faithful express their joy for a jewel that seemed lost.

The signature is that of Francesco Castelli, known as Borromini, and the church of the Madonna del Prato, one of the few examples of baroque art in medieval Gubbio, has been the point of reference for an entire community for over three and a half centuries. Since 2016 it was unusable due to the earthquake but, thanks to the 8xmille funds to the Catholic Church, the Madonna del Prato has reopened its doors not only to its faithful but also to the many tourists who visit it every year.

Jewel of Baroque architecture, erected in 1662 at the behest of Bishop Alessandro Sperelli, on the land owned by the Nuns of Santo Spirito, replacing the "small church" that was located in that exact portion of land, the church appears from the outside with a certain character of nobility. Crossing the threshold, the detail that immediately catches the eye is the imposing frescoed dome.

“When the church reopened, the feeling was that of exultation, of joy for a place that was thought to be lost,” underlines Don Fabricio Cellucci, parish priest of Madonna del Prato.

“The church of the Madonna del Prato - explains Elisa Polidori, director of the cultural heritage office of the diocese of Gubbio and of the diocesan museum - can be imagined as a treasure chest containing a priceless treasure told with meticulous precision from a theological point of view: who preceded did not want to express emotions but to represent the mystery of God".

The design and implementation of the restoration of the church, made necessary due to the unusability of the sacred building after the earthquake of August 2016, therefore respected both the artistic work and the sense of faith to which the church itself refers.

The restoration work saw 32 workers at work who, with their work, restored the stucco, plaster and frescoed surface to its ancient splendor. The restoration began in 2019 and ended in December 2020.

“It is truly a great satisfaction – underlines the bishop of the diocese of Gubbio and Città di Castello, mons. Luciano Paolucci Bedini - arriving at the end of a great restoration and recovery work of such a beautiful church. I thank the Italian Episcopal Conference which has focused its attention on the church of the Madonna del Prato. Thanks to the contributions coming from 8xmille it was possible to return a heritage of inestimable value to the community by continuing to pass on art and faith to future generations".

Visited every year by over 12 thousand people, considered one of the most significant buildings in Gubbio, the Madonna del Prato is the fulcrum of the liturgical and pastoral life of the parish community. “Churches and basilicas, like the Madonna del Prato in Gubbio, are true treasures to experience, symbols of the communion between God and man, going beyond the mere museum perception,” underlines the parish priest.

To the 533 thousand euros coming from taxpayers' signatures, 250 thousand euros of funds for the earthquake were added, made available by the Umbria Region, essential to complete the works.

Watch the video:

Project 8xmille – The restoration of the Church of the Madonna del Prato in Gubbio - Gubbio (PG)