Its majestic dome contributes to the charm of the town of Procida, the view of which welcomes you upon landing in the port of Marina Grande.
Of the numerous sacred buildings scattered in every corner of the island, the church of Maria Santissima della Pietà, also dedicated to San Giovanni Battista, is always encountered first, whatever the itinerary chosen. Thanks to its location a few steps from the port, on Via Roma, in the heart of Sent'Cò, or the Marina di Sancio Cattolico, another name for Marina Grande, the port area. Built near the sea, it is originally the sailors' church on the island which has been dedicated to seafaring for centuries.
Pio Monte di Marinai, who brought together the owners of boats and feluccas, built a small chapel on that site in 1616. At the end of that century the need arose to expand the structure, which in 1760 was definitively supplanted by a new church, whose sacristy corresponded to the original chapel.
Pio Monte di Marinai, who brought together the owners of boats and feluccas, built a small chapel on that site in 1616. At the end of that century the need arose to expand the structure, which in 1760 was definitively supplanted by a new church, whose sacristy corresponded to the original chapel.
In its new version, the church was built in the baroque style popular at the time, also characteristic of the attached bell tower, which bears a large four-dial clock. In front of the entrance, there is a large churchyard. The interior, in the shape of a Latin cross, has a single nave, with chapels arranged in succession on both sides, embellished with polychrome marble. The dome is finely embellished, thanks to the stuccos on the plumes depicting the four Evangelists. Above the entrance portal there is a large organ.
The valuable 19th century wooden statue of the Madonna della Pietà stands out on the main altar, where the numerous votive offerings linked to the seafaring tradition of Procida stand out. Another wooden statue is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist
