Erected in 1628 in honor of the Madonna di Loreto by the Theatine Fathers of the Holy Apostles, the church underwent remodeling in 1721. Expelled by the French in 1806, the church was temporarily used as a tribunal by the pretenders to the throne Joseph Bonaparte and Joachim Murat.
In 1835, His Majesty King Ferdinando II commissioned the architect Carlo Parascandolo to renovate the church and entrusted it to the Reale Arciconfraternita di Nostra Signora dei Sette Dolori dei nobili di Santo Spirito di Palazzo.
The main altar was created in 1759 by Giuseppe Sanmartino based on the design by Michelangelo Porzio. It is flanked by statues of Faith and Hope by the sculptor Tito Angelini. Throughout the church interior can be found many fascinating works of art, including neoclassical paintings, wooden sculptures and, of course, these two magnificent bells.
~ Photos courtesy of Angela Cuccillato (Facebook)
