The Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria
Encyclopedia
The Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria is a Roman Catholic shrine
to the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Cagliari
, Italy
. The Basilica
is part of a complex of buildings which make up the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria
. The Basilica
and the other structures are under the administration of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
, a Religious Order
which has overseen the care of the shrine
continuously since 1335.
(Mercedarian Friars) conceived of a great Basilica
in honour of Our Lady of Bonaria. The new church would, it was planned at the time, contain the original 13th century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria inside, as a chapel. This original Sanctuary currently exists as a separate building standing beside the Basilica.
Work began in the Basilica
in 1704. After a number of different interventions and long pauses between one century and another, was it finally completed in 1960. The original planner for the project was Antonio Felice De Vincenti, a military engineer who designed it in the Piedmontese baroque style. He also had a wooden model of the Basilica project constructed. The work was unable to continue, though, for lack of funds. After several interruptions, they began again towards the end of 18th century, this time entrusting the task to the tutelage of De Vincenti's pupil Giuseppe Viana, also a military engineer. The new supervisor was not keen on his master's plan, however: the idea of the great baroque Basilica was, therefore, abandoned for a more sobre classical construction.
The Basilica
was inaugurated and opened for worship at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. It suffered serious damage in 1943 during the allied bombardments which struck Cagliari
. The bombs caused irreparable damage: the frescoes were completely destroyed, as were a large number of other treasures. In the post-war period, the patient and slow task of reconstruction began, which only ended in 1998, for Easter. Vitally important to the success of the restoration was the contribution of Cagliari City Council. Inside the Basilica, near the entrance door, a series of texts and photos document the history of the church, showing how it looked before and after the restructuring.
was visited by Pope Benedict XVI
on September 8, 2008. On that occasion he bestowed the honor of a Golden Rose
to the Basilica
.
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
to the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Cagliari
Cagliari
Cagliari is the capital of the island of Sardinia, a region of Italy. Cagliari's Sardinian name Casteddu literally means castle. It has about 156,000 inhabitants, or about 480,000 including the outlying townships : Elmas, Assemini, Capoterra, Selargius, Sestu, Monserrato, Quartucciu, Quartu...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. The Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
is part of a complex of buildings which make up the Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria
Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria
The Shrine of Our Lady of Bonaria is a Roman Catholic shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary located in Cagliari, Italy. The Shrine is part of a complex of buildings which include the Basilica of Our Lady of Bonaria, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria and the monastery which houses the Friars of the...
. The Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
and the other structures are under the administration of the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
The Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives also known as Our Lady of Ransom is a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1218 by St...
, a Religious Order
Religious order
A religious order is a lineage of communities and organizations of people who live in some way set apart from society in accordance with their specific religious devotion, usually characterized by the principles of its founder's religious practice. The order is composed of initiates and, in some...
which has overseen the care of the shrine
Shrine
A shrine is a holy or sacred place, which is dedicated to a specific deity, ancestor, hero, martyr, saint, daemon or similar figure of awe and respect, at which they are venerated or worshipped. Shrines often contain idols, relics, or other such objects associated with the figure being venerated....
continuously since 1335.
General Background
At the beginning of the 18th century, the Order of the Blessed Virgin Mary of MercyOrder of the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mercy
The Royal, Celestial and Military Order of Our Lady of Mercy and the Redemption of the Captives also known as Our Lady of Ransom is a Roman Catholic religious order established in 1218 by St...
(Mercedarian Friars) conceived of a great Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
in honour of Our Lady of Bonaria. The new church would, it was planned at the time, contain the original 13th century Sanctuary of Our Lady of Bonaria inside, as a chapel. This original Sanctuary currently exists as a separate building standing beside the Basilica.
Work began in the Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
in 1704. After a number of different interventions and long pauses between one century and another, was it finally completed in 1960. The original planner for the project was Antonio Felice De Vincenti, a military engineer who designed it in the Piedmontese baroque style. He also had a wooden model of the Basilica project constructed. The work was unable to continue, though, for lack of funds. After several interruptions, they began again towards the end of 18th century, this time entrusting the task to the tutelage of De Vincenti's pupil Giuseppe Viana, also a military engineer. The new supervisor was not keen on his master's plan, however: the idea of the great baroque Basilica was, therefore, abandoned for a more sobre classical construction.
The Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
was inaugurated and opened for worship at the beginning of the second half of the 20th century. It suffered serious damage in 1943 during the allied bombardments which struck Cagliari
Cagliari
Cagliari is the capital of the island of Sardinia, a region of Italy. Cagliari's Sardinian name Casteddu literally means castle. It has about 156,000 inhabitants, or about 480,000 including the outlying townships : Elmas, Assemini, Capoterra, Selargius, Sestu, Monserrato, Quartucciu, Quartu...
. The bombs caused irreparable damage: the frescoes were completely destroyed, as were a large number of other treasures. In the post-war period, the patient and slow task of reconstruction began, which only ended in 1998, for Easter. Vitally important to the success of the restoration was the contribution of Cagliari City Council. Inside the Basilica, near the entrance door, a series of texts and photos document the history of the church, showing how it looked before and after the restructuring.
Special Honors
The BasilicaBasilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
was visited by Pope Benedict XVI
Pope Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI is the 265th and current Pope, by virtue of his office of Bishop of Rome, the Sovereign of the Vatican City State and the leader of the Catholic Church as well as the other 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in full communion with the Holy See...
on September 8, 2008. On that occasion he bestowed the honor of a Golden Rose
Golden Rose
The Golden Rose is a gold ornament, which popes of the Catholic Church have traditionally blessed annually. It is occasionally conferred as a token of reverence or affection...
to the Basilica
Basilica
The Latin word basilica , was originally used to describe a Roman public building, usually located in the forum of a Roman town. Public basilicas began to appear in Hellenistic cities in the 2nd century BC.The term was also applied to buildings used for religious purposes...
.