The Major Sacristy of the Cathedral of Mantua
🌟 The Hidden Sacristy: The Less-Known Treasure of the Cathedral of Mantua 🌟
🕊️ Introduction: The Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin crowned Queen of Mantua, colloquially called “The Incoronata,” is a symbol of devotion and spirituality. This sacred place is rich in history, especially tied to the revered image of the Madonna di S. Anselmo. But it’s in the cathedral’s sacristy where a less-known treasure is hidden, a corner filled with art and spirituality. 🌿
🖌️ Art and Inspiration: The sacristy is a place of particular artistic interest, hosting frescoes of clear Mantegnesque inspiration. These representations depict significant episodes from the Virgin’s life, including an evocative and detailed nativity. This space vibrantly expresses the deep bond between sacred art and devotion. 🎨
🚪 Structural Connection: The relationship between the sacristy and the sanctuary is historically significant. Originally, the sacristy was supposed to be the main nave of the sanctuary, according to Luca Fancelli’s initial project. However, a change in structural direction during the works transformed this space into a separate entity, revealing the sanctuary’s unique nave and making the sacristy a distinctive place. This change allowed insights into the potential grandeur of this small but very important place of worship. 🏗️
🔍 Rediscovery and Intuition: Recent interventions have allowed the rediscovery of the original connection between the sacristy and the sanctuary, thanks to the insertion of a glass door and the permanent opening between the two environments. These modifications have provided a new perspective on how this church might have appeared, unveiling new historical, artistic, and devotional interpretations. 💒