Sacred Heart Church, Roman Catholic church in Condamine, Monaco
Sacred Heart Church is a Roman Catholic building with a single nave and ceiling paintings that cover much of the interior surface. The structure has a straightforward design with religious artworks that define the space inside.
Italian Jesuits arrived in Monaco in the early 20th century, and the chapel of the Hector Otto foundation soon proved too small. The church was built between 1926 and 1929 for the Jesuits of the adjoining residence, promoted by Father Pacifique Arici and funded by donations, including one from the composer Louis-Lazare Perruchot. Bishop Auguste-Maurice Clément laid and blessed the first stone on 22 June 1927 in the presence of Princess Charlotte; the chapel opened for worship on 10 February 1928 and the bishop blessed the altar on 16 February 1929. It became a parish church in 1965, and the Italian Jesuits handed the parish to the diocese and closed their residence in 1995.
The vault paintings, about 500 m², were painted by the Italian artist Franzoni in 1930 and restored in 2013 by Pauline Lascourrèges. They show four scenes, including the "Ecce homo" and the multiplication of the loaves; the panel of the forgiven sinner is painted upside down so that worshippers leaving Mass are reminded of God's mercy.
The church stands in the Moneghetti district, in the Saint-Martin parish, and Eucharistic adoration and the rosary are held there daily. The single nave measures 20 by 10 metres, with two side chapels; Father Arici's grave lies in the central aisle. The 2013 restoration renewed the paintings, gilding, frescoes and organ, and brought the electrical system up to standard.
The organ, built by Brondino Vegezzi-Bossi of Centallo, was blessed by Archbishop Bernard Barsi in 2016. It has three manuals and 30 stops, with a romantic-symphonic character that also suits classical and contemporary music. Its titular organist is the Basque musician Jean-Christophe Aurnague.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 92,857 contributors worldwide.