San Rocco Fresco
We were delighted when we explored our new home to find a number of frescoes.
The most vivid fresco we found on the wall above a tiny balcony was funnily enough disfigured by the electricity company running pipes through the edge of it. There was no way to reach the balcony other than through the building which was locked up.
This fresco is dated 1866…
As we got to know the locals and visited other homes in the area we soon found that the frescoes were common place and went almost unnoticed.
These were painted by one of the countless artists who would paint a fresco, usually of religious subjects on the pillars and façades of the houses in exchange for a few coins, sometimes nothing more than hospitality.
A favorite fresco is the painting of Saint Rocco found at the tiny church Cappella di San Rocco in Gambasca. The church is a traditional octagonal shape which has ancient origins. Historians say the church was most likely built following the Great Plague of 1630 which affected Piemonte.
The Story of Saint Rocco
Born around 1340 A.D in France, Rocco was orphaned at an early age. He was placed in the care of his uncle, the Duke of Montpellier. From a young age he showed great devotion to God and it was noted that he had a red cross shaped birthmark on the left side of his chest. He gave up his worldly possessions and dressed as a pilgrim and headed to Rome.
During his travels he contracted the plague which is evident from the open sore on his leg. Saint Rocco cured many of this disease through prayer and making the sign of the cross.
He was banished from the city and lived in a cave where he was befriended by a dog. The dog would bring him food and one day the lord of the castle followed the dog. He bought Rocco back to his castle where he was cured.
Rocco traveled through the North of Italy for a number of years before returning to his birthplace in France. He was so weak and ill that the people of the town didn’t recognize him and he was put in jail. After five years in jail he was found near death, the cell lit with a blue light coming from his body.
When hearing this the Governor demanded to know his identity, Rocco replied I am your nephew. The only thing that could prove this to be true was the birthmark. The Governor and town people then believed and Rocco was given immortal glory in heaven.
Saint Rocco is known as the protector against the plague and all contagious diseases.
The image of Saint Rocco is thought unique as it is most unusual for any Saint to show evidence of handicap or disease.
His body is enclosed in a glass tomb in the church of San Rocco in Venice, Italy.
and the gang x
Oh this is incredibly charming! I hope you can salvage some frescoes and maybe have them restorated a little ?
I’ll be following your blog, although it will pain me a little since it’s just ALL THAT what I am missing in Australia (am European to the core, that will never change…)
very nice meeting you on Saturday, what an interesting and various collection of bloggers it was!
🙂
So wonderful to meet you also Kkay, I hope we won’t cause you too much pain. There is just a completely different feel to life in Europe and I long to get back and explore in more detail now the children are older. We could not help but laugh at where the electricity company decided to put the pipes….right through the fresco!
I had a wonderful day on Saturday and it was a joy to meet you and your dear little boy.
chat soon
Lisa
So great to meet you today and sorry we did not have more time to chat. these images are just gorgeous and I would so love to have them in my home. I so love your blog idea and love the history behind your findings and travels. Naomi
Thanks so much for that Naomi, it was great to meet you also! I love Italy’s living history, hmmmm maybe we need some images in homes?? Great idea!’
ciao for now
Lisa
Sigh. They are lovely. Thanks also for sharing the story of Saint Rocco.
Gorgeous aren’t they Melissa, and we saw frescoes like these all through the mountain homes. I love some of the stories of the Saints, this one especially as he is the saint who shows a handicap. This image of him always struck me as a bit camp. Will I be struck down for that?
ciao Lisa