Page 13 - Caorle Journal Luglio 2023

Le origini| 13

THE SANCTUARY OF MADONNA DELL’ANGELO

THE CHURCH THAT PROTECTS THE ADRIATIC SEA

It has been a reassuring presence for centuries now, for the mind and a point of reference for devotees, but also a place of pilgrimage for
the spirit of all the citizens in Caorle. Both in summer and in winter. worshippers from all over the world. In 2016, the door of the shrine
The church of Madonna dell’ Angelo, at the beginning of the Levante was elevated to a holy door by Francesco Moraglia, the patriarch
beach, overlooks the Upper Adriatic in all its splendour, at the end of of Venice, during the Extraordinary Jubilee of Mercy. Recently, the
a cliff that creates a unique landscape with its peculiar style. Origi- church has been affected by important external renovation works,
nally intended as a religious building with three wooden naves, de- thanks to important donations in synergy with institutions, trade
dicated to Archangel Michael, it is probably the oldest church in the associations, private companies, tourists and citizens. Subsequently,
city. In fact, it dates back to the 6th or 7th century, with a tradition to better preserve the entire area, interventions have been planned
to be enhanced. In fact, it is said that one day some f ishermen, while for the bell tower and the internal area. The place of worship is an
they were performing their usual work activities, noticed a wooden icon of the seaside resort, to which it is connected with events of high
statue of the Madonna and child on her lap f loating on a marble historical, cultural and religious value. Every year, on the second
pedestal. The sacred statue was brought ashore and placed inside Sunday of July, the Coronation of the Virgin is celebrated, when the
the small church by the sea, which, from that moment on, was called statue of the Madonna is carried in procession accompanied by the
Chiesa della Madonna dell’Angelo. The development under the Sere- traditional burning of the bell tower of the cathedral. Every 5 years,
nissima Republic of Venice and the expansion of the trade routes of on the second Sunday of September, the procession takes place at sea,
the time are certainly key factors, and back then Caorle was already with the relic accompanied by the festively adorned f ishermen’s bo-
one of the important cities of the territory. Its current appearance ats. In summer, the church takes on spectacular colours thanks to the
dates back to 1751, when Bishop Francesco Trevisan Suarez decided magic of the sun ref lected on the water, while, in the cold months, the
to demolish the old church and rebuild a new one with a single nave fog envelopes the landscape with a unique and magic atmosphere.
and a Palladian-style portico. For decades, the building has been An atmosphere that has reached us since the dawn of time.