Madonna Della Serra
Madonna Della Serra and its beautiful baroque architecture are the pride of Montalto Uffugo. Originally built in 1227, it was reconstructed in the 1500's. Madonna Della Serra has been spared damage in more than one earthquake. The Madonna of this church is the town's Patron Saint. In English Madonna Della Serra means Madonna of The Greenhouse, named that because the church was built on a former location of a greenhouse. Legends state that the statue miraculously appeared one day in front of the greenhouse. The owner of the greenhouse picked up the beautiful statue and put it in his barn. The next day the statue appeared again in the exact spot. The greenhouse owner thought someone was playing a trick on him so this time he locked the barn after he placed the statue there. The next day when the statue appeared again, it was seen as a miracle and a sign that the Madonna wanted a church built there.
Churches Of Montalto Uffugo
Montalto Uffugo is a religious center and has been for centuries. There are convents that date back centuries. Three huge convents are also located in Montalto Uffugo. All three are centuries old. Below is a list of churches, monasteries and convents in Montalto Uffugo. Not all of the religious institutions listed are actively in use today.
- Sanctuary Madonna della Serra
- Chiesa di San Francesco (Pianette)
- Chiesa della Madonna Ausiliatrice (San Nicola)
- Chiesa di San Luigi (Parantoro)
- Chiesa della Madonna del Carmelo (Commicelle)
- Chiesa della Madonna Della Grazie (Mavigliano)
- Chiesa della Madonna delle Neve (Santa Maria la Castagna)
- Chiesa di S.S. Trinita (Taverna)
- Chiesa di San Rocco (Vaccarizzo)
- Chiesa di San Francesco (Vaccarizzo)
- La Visitazione della Beata Vergine Maria (Vaccarizzo)
- Immacolata Concezione (Scalo)
- Chiesa di San Pietro (Caldopiano)
- Chiesa di San Domenico
- Chiesa ex convent del Carmine
- Chiesa della SS Annunziata detta di San Francesco
- Chiesa ex convent of San Antonio
- Chiesa ex convent of Santa Chiara
- Chiesa di San Giacomo
- Chiesa di San Pasquale
- Chiesa di Santa Rita
- Chiesa dell' Immacolata
- Chiesa della Madonna del Soccorso
- Cappella della Madonna Delle Grazie
Santa Maria della Neve is located in the frasione of Santa Maria La Castagna. Our sister site Cosenza Exchange has photographic images of baptisms performed there from 1746-1912. You can view them by clicking this link here.
The Patron Saint of Montalto Uffugo is Madonna Della Serra. Her feast day is celebrated every year on August 15 and also on February 12, the same date a violent earthquake in 1854 occurred.
The monestary of Santa Chiara (Saint Claire) has not functioned as a monestary since around 1950. It was built in the 15th century.