Chiesa degli Ottimati

Reggio Calabria, Italy

The Chiesa degli Ottimati history is documented as early as the 10th century. The present name derives from a Norman confraternity that rebuilt the church, and dedicated it to the Virgin of the Annunciation. The Ottimati were a congregation of nobles founded by the Normans. Over time, these included the Filocamo, Griso, Altavilla and Borboni.

The original layout appears to have been a Greek cross, with multiple domes. The Normans under Roger II, built a church on top, eliminating many of the domes. On September 3, 1594 the church was damaged and burned during a sack of the town by Saracen raiders. In 1597, the church commissioned a new painting of the Annunciation by Agostino Ciampelli.

By the 18th century, the church was affiliated with the Jesuits, and a school was adjacent. With the suppression of the Jesuits in 1767, the church fell empty. It was damaged by earthquakes in 1783 and 1908. The church rebuilt after 1908 moved from the original location, and was completed in 1933, using a design by Pompilio Seno, who adopted a neo-Byzantine style with Arab-Norman elements. Some elements from the destroyed Norman basilica of Santa Maria di Terreti were used.

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Founded: 10th century AD
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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User Reviews

P P (42 days ago)
The Chiesa degli Ottimati, located in Piazza Castello, has Byzantine-Norman origins, also the building was built in 1933. It takes its name from the ancient crypt below the nearby Church of S. Gregorio Magno used by the Ottimati, a congregation of nobles founded by the Normans. Inside, the coats of arms of some noble families of Reggio Calabria are preserved. The star is made from the red Byzantine dome. The plan internally is a three-nave, with a floor adorned with polychrome mosaics from different eras, contributing to the charm and importance of the light. The altar is in baroque style, with a part of the Annunciation of the Florentine Agostino Ciampelli (1597). This is based on the dates from 1783 and 1908, the church was written in the early days of the November 19th century. The reconstruction was based on the supervision of the school of Beato Angelico in Milan, on the project of the architect Pompilio Seno from 1927, which adopted the pre-existing Norman Byzantine type system of the Cappella degli Ottimati, maintaining some of the original elements such as the four columns at the entrance to the central nave. Since 1964 it is part of the college of Gesuiti.
Flo P (6 months ago)
Unfortunately, it was closed for our visit, as was the cathedral
Gabriel de blas (14 months ago)
It's a gem. The original church was built in the year 1100. Only a stone mosaic remains of it on the floor, in front of the main altar. On the main altar we can enjoy the Annunciation, a painting apparently of Flemish origin from 1690. At first it was a Greco-Roman church, hence the structure of the building and the carved stone capitals of the time. Today it is a Catholic and Jesuit church. A small wonder that excites anyone who enters it. Of course, being a Jesuit church, it has a couple of paintings of Saint Ignatius of Loyola. Also very beautiful.
Sergio Salvato (SweeTime) (16 months ago)
The church, which stands close to the Aragonese Castle, is easily identifiable by its red dome of clear Byzantine inspiration, while the plan has 3 naves divided by a colonnade. The original church was demolished in 1916, while the current one is a project by the architect Pompilio Seno dating back to 1927 and owes its name to the fact that, since 1564, it was used by a brotherhood of Reggio nobles, the Venerable Congregation of Nobles the title of the SS. Announced". The church was perhaps a private chapel of the Norman kings and this is evident from some architectural aspects of the crypt and from the precious Romanesque-Norman mosaic floor.
Ivano Stipa (18 months ago)
The church of the Ottimati (or of Santa Maria Annunziata) stands in Piazza Castello. Inside, the church has a Latin cross plan, with three naves where it is divided by pillars and columns, while numerous windows illuminate the room. On the Baroque style altar two columns enclose the picture of the Annunciation. In the apse of the right aisle there is a large wooden crucifix. Open every day from 8:30 to 19:30 Free entry
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