Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Teatini, church in Ferrara (FE)
The Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Teatini is a Baroque church on Corso della Giovecca in Ferrara, built between 1622 and 1635 after designs by architect Luca Danese. It features a spacious square interior with side chapels and artworks including a painting of the 'Purification of Mary' by Il Guercino, while the exterior facade remains in rough brick, unfinished and incomplete.
Construction began in 1622 at the initiative of the Theatine order and was completed in 1635 to serve as a center for the teachings of Saint Gaetano. The building represents the religious development of Ferrara in the 17th century, while the unfinished brick facade reflects interruptions in construction history and later events such as the 2012 earthquake.
The church was built to serve the Theatine order, a religious community dedicated to the teachings of Saint Gaetano that shaped spiritual life in the city. The simple architectural style and the artworks inside reflect the values of prayer and community that this order embodied.
The church is located on Corso della Giovecca, a main street in the city center, easily reached on foot or by public transport. The building is currently not open for visits, but can be viewed from outside to observe its architecture and unfinished brick facade.
The brick exterior was intentionally left unfinished, as the planned stone facing was never applied due to financial or logistical constraints. This unusual incompleteness gives the building a raw, honest character that sets it apart from other Baroque churches.
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