San Gregorio, Armenian Catholic church in Livorno, Italy.
San Gregorio is a former Armenian Catholic church in Livorno, of which only the entrance portico survives on Via della Madonna. The portico is a serliana with a rebuilt iron grille and sculptures of Faith and Charity by Andrea Vaccà flanking Saint Gregory. The interior was reduced to a small room with an apartment above; some interior marbles were re-placed there in 2008, others lie abandoned in the park of Villa Fabbricotti.
Construction began in 1701 under architect Giovanni Battista Foggini and the church was consecrated in 1714. During French occupation in 1799, silver objects were removed from the interior, but returned after diplomatic protests from Paris.
The Armenian community received privileges and admission to Livorno from Ferdinando I de' Medici in June 1593, and by 1683 their numbers and wealth led them to commission a church. The building was financed in 1697 by a tax paid by Armenian merchants. The facade's statues of Faith and Charity by Andrea Vaccà flank Saint Gregory the Illuminator.
The building now serves as an intercultural center while maintaining its connection to the local Armenian community. Access may vary depending on the center's programming, so it is worth checking in advance.
In May 1799 French troops seized 47 pounds of silver objects from the church; after protests the value was reimbursed in Paris. The building was later hit by World War II bombing and then looted and vandalised, and much of it was demolished although the damage did not require it.
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