Madonna del Carmine, church building in Forlì, Italy
Madonna del Carmine is a baroque church in central Forlì, completely rebuilt between 1735 and 1746 by architect Giuseppe Merenda. Inside, a large central nave stretches about 32 meters with five side chapels on each side, decorated with frescoes, gilded stucco, and a painting of the Annunciation by Marco Palmezzano.
The church was founded by the Carmelites in the 1300s and grew too small for its congregation, leading to expansion in the 1400s. It underwent a complete baroque transformation in the 1700s, but was seized during the Napoleonic era and used as a military facility until 1866, when it returned to religious use.
The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Mount Carmel, a veneration of Mary popular throughout Italy and connected to the Carmelite order. The site continues to serve as a place where the community gathers for prayer, festivals, and celebrations tied to this religious tradition.
The church sits on Corso G. Mazzini, a main street in central Forlì, making it easy to reach on foot. Access is through a striking stone portal from the 1400s, and visitors should note that the roof needed repairs in 2020 with restoration work continuing through 2022.
The stone portal on the facade dates to 1465 and was originally made for Forlì's cathedral before being moved here in 1915. It features the mounted figure of Saint Valerian carved by Marino di Marco Cedrino in contrasting black and white marble, creating a striking accent against the plain brick exterior.
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