San Matteo, Baroque church in Laigueglia, Italy
San Matteo is a baroque church in Laigueglia featuring two bell towers capped with colorful majolica domes that rise above the town. Inside, ten chapels with Corinthian pilasters line the walls, and paintings from the Genoese artistic tradition hang throughout the space.
Construction began in the early 19th century with strong support from local sailors and fishermen who contributed labor and materials. The building emerged as a major religious center for the maritime community of the time.
The church serves as a meeting place for the local fishing community, with artworks that reflect the spiritual life of sailors and maritime families. The interior decoration tells the story of how ordinary people contributed to creating something of beauty and meaning.
The church sits in the center of Laigueglia and is easy to reach on foot from the waterfront and main streets. Allow time to move slowly through the interior and examine the artworks without rushing, as the details reward closer attention.
The crosses atop the bell towers are positioned to align with the prevailing sea winds that blow across the coast. This thoughtful orientation shows how the builders intentionally connected the church to its maritime surroundings.
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