Hermitage of Madonna di Coccia | |
Native Name: | Eremo della Madonna di Coccia |
Map Type: | Abruzzo |
State: | Italy |
Region: | Abruzzo |
Province: | Province of L'Aquila |
Municipality: | Campo di Giove |
Religious Affiliation: | Roman Catholic |
Eremo della Madonna di Coccia (Italian for Hermitage of Madonna di Coccia) is an hermitage located in Campo di Giove, Province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo, Italy).[1]
The hermitage is located along the mule track connecting Campo di Giove with Palena, passing through the Guado di Coccia pass.[2] It serves as an example of a church-mountain hut-shepherd's hut.[1] There is limited historical information on the hermitage,[3] but it is believed to have been commissioned by the future Pope Celestine V in the 13th century.[2] The only certain date is that inscribed on the architrave of the 1748 restoration, likely after damage from the 1706 Abruzzo earthquake.[1] More recent accounts link the path to the escape of prisoners from the internment camp of Sulmona, heading to the pass to cross the Gustav Line.[4] Related to these events, a memorial dedicated to Ettore De Corti, who was killed by the Germans while attempting to cross the front line, stands at the pass.[4] In 2009, the church underwent restoration work carried out by the management body of the Maiella National Park.[1]
The entire structure consists of two sections built against a rock on a steep slope: the church is at the top, and below are the remains of a residential area.[1] The church is rectangular and has two windows and a large entrance door on the facade.[1] The lunette-shaped architrave above the door bears the inscription commemorating the restoration:[5] Above the windows is the inscription:[5] The interior of the church is bare.[5] On the back wall, above the remains of the altar, are the decorations and frame that housed a bas-relief of the Madonna and Child.[1]
The residential area next to the church was organized on two floors.[1] It is in a state of ruin, but the perimeter walls remain.[1] The first floor had two windowless rooms used as a stable or woodshed, while the upper floor, paved with terracotta tiles, was used as a dormitory.[1]