Santa Maria della Purità, Baroque church in Gallipoli, Italy.
Santa Maria della Purità is a baroque church in Gallipoli with white stone walls and a single nave housing several altars. The walls and ceilings are decorated with elaborate frescoes and stucco work that richly adorn the interior.
A confraternity of fishermen and sailors started building this religious structure in 1662. The building arose from a local initiative by these working people who wanted to express their religious practices.
The name refers to the Purification of Mary and reflects a devotion deeply rooted in this community. The interior displays works by renowned southern Italian masters who depicted religious scenes with considerable detail.
Access is straightforward since the church sits near the city center of Gallipoli and is reachable on foot. It makes sense to visit during daytime when natural light streams through the windows and artwork is most visible.
Every first weekend in July a significant local celebration takes place at this church, where processions and traditional customs come alive. This event shows how the building remains an active place for the community today.
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