In 1372, Fina Buzzaccarini, wife of Francesco I of Carrara, inaugurated the construction of the Church of St. Mary of the Servites. The church was built on the former location of the house of Nicolo da Carrara, which was demolished. Nicolo was a cousin of Francesco I and tradition has it that Fina, a very pious woman, chose this particular location to punish his sins. Nicolo was a valorous leader, and had successfully defended the city against the Cangrande of Verona, in 1320. But he never accepted the nomination of Jacopo I as Captain of the People, or the succession of Marsilio I. Seeing that his dreams of becoming signore would never be achieved he left the city and went into permanent exile. In 1378, Fina died, leaving the responsibility for completing the Church to her sister Anna, Abbess of the Convent of St. Benedict's. The church has a single nave with the bell tower as a constituent part. In 1393, Fina's son Francesco Novello entrusted the church to the Order of the Servants of Mary. The portico was added in 1511 by Bartolomeo Campolongo, using 10 red marble octagonal columns originating from the demolition of the 14th century Chapel of the Ark in the Church of St. Anthony. The church was part of a complex that included the convent of the Servites, the Oratory of St. Homobonus and the Oratory of the Guild of St. Mary of the Servites.
Are you a local? What do you think about Church of Santa Maria dei Servi?
Login to suggest it!