Annunziatella Church and Ave Gratia Plena Conservatory

The Church of the Annunziatella was completed in 1729. It was mainly used for religious services to women hospitalized in the adjoining Ave Gratia Plena Conservatory. Dedicated to the Anunciation, it was named Annunziata Minore, and then Annunziatella, to distinguish it from the already existing church of the Anunciation.

The façade features the piperno portal and a characteristic ornamental fountain, with a dome-shaped covered loggia. The’interior has a single nave, with a groined barrel vault. The side chapels reveal rich stucco decoration. The two neoclassical transept chapels, in contrast to the ensemble characterized by 18th-century Baroque, date from the 19th century. The major altar, in polychrome marble, surmounted by the canvas depicting the’Annunciation, has on its sides the coats of arms of the Conservatory, very similar to that of the municipality.

In 1937 the Chiesa dell’Annunziatella became the seat of the parish of S. Maria dei Barbuti; since 1947 of that of Sant’ Andrea. After restoration work in 1946, the chancel above the high altar was abolished and four large windows, reserved for the women of the conservatory, were bricked up.

The conservatory was established by the will of Dominican Andrea di Sanseverino, as a shelter for “poor maidens, virgins and of honest family who cannot be maintained in their homes without great danger of honore”.

The conservatory’s first location, around 1650, was in premises adjoining the vanished Church of the XII Apostles, which is still remembered by the toponym “Largo Conservatorio Vecchio.” Four years after its founding, the city took charge of the institute by placing a tax of one tornese for each mound of ground grain.

In 1698 the conservatory moved permanently to Via dei Canali in the palace of the Frignano family, which was partially demolished to make way for a large space in front of the conservatory’s own entrance. Since then, the building has gradually expanded to include some neighboring buildings.

Recent excavations in the entrance hall have uncovered some remains of abside with traces of early medieval frescoes, dating from around the 11th century. In the courtyard, directly across from the entrance is an imposing fountain with basin. The fountain consists of a niche divided into two parts by a horizontal frame; in the upper part the broken pediment has, in the center, a roundel in which a figure is inserted. Another regular octagonal-shaped fountain finds its place outside the conservatory.

Currently the Ex-Conservatory Ave Gratia Plena Minor complex houses the youth hostel

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