The inside of the Parish Church of Craveggia, in Vigezzo Valley, houses a precious treasure, which includes religious vestments, liturgical objects and paintings that constitute only the core of a wider heritage that over the centuries has been increased by donations from Craveggian emigrants.
In addition to the value of ancient silk chasubles, embroidered with gold and silver, monstrances, chalices, pyxes and crosses decorated with precious stones, the treasure also offers visitors some exceptional exhibits of immense value. For example, the funeral mantle of Louis XIV, decorated with gold and silver on a black velvet background, and with six medallions embroidered with gobelins, depicting scenes from the Passion and Resurrection of Christ.
Also hugely significant is the flower embroidered cope made from the historic wedding mantle of Marie Antoinette, Queen of France. The “Queen’s cloak” is used by the parish priest of Craveggia only on solemn celebrations: on 25th July on the feast of the patron saint and the third Sunday of September on the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
The treasure also preserves other small yet great jewels: some pieces of the Life of Jesus painted on copper panels by the Flemish artist Frank, from the Royal Chapel of Versailles; a 12th-century crucifix with the Four Evangelists carved in relief; the “dagger” and the “Crown” of Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows; the halo of the “Baby Jesus” in gilded silver; the monstrance in gold vermeil and ancient drapes and precious fabrics.
No item found