Santuario di S. Antonio in Polla

S. Antonio Abate Shrine in Polla
History
The construction of the Shrine started in 1541 at people’s expenses. It has been a religious and cultural reference point for five centuries, and, still today, it is one of the most important Franciscan monuments.
The sober architecture of the Renaissance, the multitude of splendid frescoes and canvases and the wooden sculptures make S. Antonio Shrine one of the most representative monuments of art history in Campania. Works by various artist, e.g. Michele Ragolia, Domenico Sorrentino, Anselmo Palmieri, Francesco de Martino, Nicola Peccheneda, Pietro Antonio Ferro, friar Umile da Petralia, adorn the interior.
Changes occurred due to earthquakes (in 1694 and 1857) or restoration works.
It is a National heritage monument since 1925 and it has been promoted Diocesan Shrine since 1993. The Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activity integrated it among “Mille meraviglie d’Italia”, in 2012.

Architecture
The present façade is an example of the art of the 16th century’s Order of Friar Minor; three stone arcades surround the atrium. The interior has preserved the 1500’s layout with a central nave (typical of Franciscan churches), whereas the chancel was added in the 1600’s absorbing the chapel of S.Giovanni Battista (John the Baptist). The present feature is a result of the chancel’s renovation of the 18th century. The nave has an original look thanks to the harmony between the asymmetric walls and the wonderful painting decorations. The cupola gives a grandiose appearance as a whole.

Sculpture
Although painting predominates, there are very important sculpture works such as the crucified Christ made of olive wood by friar Umile da Petralia (1636).
The chancel and the vestry are made of walnut and the bas-reliefs portrays various Franciscan saints.
The choir has fine apostles’ portrays whereas scenes about Saint Antony’s miracles are chiseled in the pulpit in polychrome wood from the Neapolitan studio.
Classical is the style of the stone portals dating back to the 1500’s, placed at the entrance both of the church and the chapel of Immacolata.
From the balustrade of 1783 in Baroque style you can see the Altar (1706) by Gennaro Mannelli.

Painting
The pictorial heritage of the shrine is excellent. It is the result of the diligence both of the friars and the noble families of Polla. The work by Michele Ragolia (1666) is a Baroque masterpiece: a coffered ceiling portraying the Immaculate surrounded by scenes from the Holy Bible . Almost certainly Piero Antonio Fermo painted the frescoes of the life of Jesus in the early 17th century. The cupola’s fresco “Gloria del paradiso” is by Domenico Sorrentino.
The church walls was painted by Anselmo Palmieri and Francesco De Martino.
The frescoes of 1715 are in a Baroque style: remarkable are the walls of the cloister where the life and the miracles of Saint Francis were frescoed by Ottavio Paparo from Eboli, in 1595.
The refectory of the 1700’s, adjacent to the cloister, is totally covered by majolica tiles whereas a fresco portraying “L’Ultima cena” is superimposed on decorations of the 16th century.

The miracle of the weeping Saint
On June 12th and 13th 2010 the wooden statue changed its facial expression and began to weep. According to the tests’ result it doesn’t seem to be a fraud.
On February 13th 2011 an Episcopal proclaim declared the phenomenon as an event that cannot be explained according to the laws of the nature.