Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata (Madonna della Steccata), Parma

The Shrine of Santa Maria della Steccata is a Greek-cross design Renaissance church in central Parma, Italy. The name derives from the fence or steccato used to corral the numerous devotees who visited a venerated image of the Madonna.HistoryBy 1392, the site held a small oratory to shelter a miraculous image of St. John the Baptist and was neighboring a religious confraternity that had an equally miraculous image of the Virgin and child, mentioned above, on the facade. The popularity of the icons led to the construction (1521-1539) by the commune of this church.ArchitectureThe layout is that mainly of a centralized Greek Cross church with four arms, although the entrance elongates through an arch to form the Coro dei Cavallieri. In the crossing is the majestic dome. Each arm has a half-dome, while between the arms are four corner chapels.The architects were Bernardino Zaccagni and his son, Giovanni Francisco, with modifications by Gian Francesco d'Agrate. The dome (1526-1527) is attributed to Agrate, although with the help by Antonio da Sangallo the Younger. The church was finally consecrated in 1539. The sacristy was rebuilt over the following centuries.Interior decorationThe interior was decorated by prominent artists, both local and foreign to Parma. The Baroque altar in the choir was begun by Mauro Oddi and completed in 1758-1765 by Andrea and Domenico della Meschina. In the sacristy and sanctuary, many of the fresco figures and decorations were painted or planned by a young Parmigianino. Michelangelo Anselmi painted a large fresco in the apse of the Coronation of the Virgin with Saints (1541) and a later Adoration of the Magi.

A visit to Basilica di Santa Maria della Steccata (Madonna della Steccata) represents just the start of the adventure when you use our Parma holiday builder site to plot your vacation.
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