Natività di Maria, Church in Portoferraio, Italy

Natività di Maria is a Catholic church with three naves and a rectangular layout in the historic center of Portoferraio. Its facade is divided by six vertical pilasters and displays two marble statues representing Saint John the Evangelist and Saint Sebastian Martyr.

The church was built in the Cosimian age; in 1623 two side chapels were added. At the start of the 19th century these chapels were transformed into aisles, giving the building its present structure. The wooden crucifix now in the opposite aisle dates from 1549 and was formerly on the marble high altar.

The name refers to the birth of Mary and reflects the devotion this place has held since its foundation. Visitors can see how the silver votive offering was left by seafarers as thanks for safe returns.

The church sits in the historic center beyond Porta a Mare, near the old d'Arme square. It can be reached through a central door with two lateral entrances, both easy to find.

The 1549 wooden crucifix now on the altar of the opposite aisle once stood on the marble high altar. The 18th-century altar of the Madonna del Buon Viaggio shows a small silver ship added as a votive offering, held out to the Virgin by an angel.