Statue of the Immaculate Conception - Messina, Italy
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neoc1
N 38° 11.573 E 015° 33.286
33S E 548579 N 4227361
The statue of the Immaculate Conception was originally located, in 1757, in the Piazza della Concezione. It was moved to its currently location at the Piazza Immacolata 98122, Messina, Italy.
Waymark Code: WM11RZ9
Location: Sicilia, Italy
Date Posted: 12/13/2019
Views: 1
Immaculata is a title for the Virgin Mary that is a reference to the Catholic dogma of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. A Baroque, 13 meter tall, marble statue of the Immaculate Conception was created by Messina born sculptor Giuseppe Buceti and dedicated on December 8, 1757 on the Feast Day of the Immaculate Conception of the Mary.
After the southern Calabria earthquake of 1783, it suffered serious damage and in 1815 the base underwent a first general restoration. It was later moved to it's present location near the Piazza del Duomo.
The statue was commissioned in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for an event that occurred on August 15 1738 during the celebration of Vara, a procession held in Sicilian cities on the day, according to Catholic dogma, of the Assumption of Mary into heaven. A chariot used in the procession overturned with children on board and everybody came away unhurt.
The Virgin Mary is wearing a bronze crown and has a halo behind her head. She is dresses in flowing robes and standing a dragon head with her left foot and a crescent moon with her right foot. Below are several putti sitting at the corners of the base.
An inscription on the base proclaims the Senate’s devotion to the Virgin Mary.
VIRGINI
DEI GENITRICI
PRIMIGENÆ LABIS
EXPERTI
SENATUS
POPVLIQVE MAMERTINI
PERVETVSTA
PIETAS AC RELIGIO
A.D. MDCCLVIII