Church of San Carlo Borromeo (Carloforte)

The Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Carloforte, standing proudly behind the bustling square, is a testament to the city's rich history and devotion. 🏛️ Engraved with the words "Divo Carolo" in honor of the king, its neoclassical facade exudes elegance and reverence. 🕊️ Built in 1775 through the collaboration of local labor and the Duke of San Pietro, this church has been a cornerstone of the community for centuries. ⛪ The addition of a recessed bell tower in 1797 added to its grandeur, though it's not without its tales - a ship-salvaged bell met its end on St. Peter's Day in 1909. 🛳️Inside, the church holds treasures of both art and history. 🎨 The Cappella della Pietà houses the remains of esteemed figures like Don Gabriele Pagani, immortalized in a stunning mosaic by artist D'Urso. 🌟 The presbytery boasts a painting of Saint Charles adoring the Virgin Mary, a gift from the Savoyards, while statues and stones from Tabarca and Tunisia symbolize the community's enduring faith and connection to their homeland. 🗝️🌍For decades, this church served as the spiritual center of Carloforte, a place where the entire community gathered in celebration and reflection. ⛪ However, as the city grew, a new church dedicated to Saint Peter was erected to accommodate the expanding population. 🌿 Despite this evolution, the Church of St. Charles Borromeo remains a sacred symbol of tradition, faith, and unity for the people of Carloforte. 🌺🙏

Moving away from the sea and walking along the street, behind the square stands the church of San Carlo Borromeo, patron saint of the city, on whose portal the words “Divo Carolo” in honor of the king are engraved in very small letters, on the left the date of construction: 1775 . The church, designed by Viana in neoclassical style, was commissioned by the Duke of San Pietro and the Ministry of Finance with the free participation of local labor.A few years after opening for worship, in 1797, it was completed with a recessed bell tower. It is said to have had four bells, one of which, salvaged from a ship and slightly damaged, fell off on St. Peter's Day in 1909 and was then replaced by a new one purchased by Carloforte emigrants in America.
Inside the church, in the Cappella della Pietà, to the left of the entrance, lie the remains of the priest Don Gabriele Pagani (1879-1940), depicted in a magnificent mosaic by the artist D'Urso, together with Don Mario Ghiga, Bishop of Tempio -Ampurias, popular pastor of the Carolina congregation from 1941 to 1961; The presbytery is decorated with a painting depicting Saint Charles adoring the Virgin Mary, donated to the community by the Savoyards.At the bottom right are the statues of Saint Anne with the Madonna as a Child, which the inhabitants of Tabarchi took with them on the journey from Tabarca to the island of San Pietro.Behind the altar, in front of the organ, is one of the stones that made up the apse of Tabarca, as is written on the same stone. The statue of Saint Anne and the stone of the apse, brought from the Tunisian island, symbolize the intention of the people of Tabarchini to continue praying in their new homeland, always feeling at home.

Until 1967, the Church of San Carlo Borromeo was the only church where the entire community gathered for celebrations. As part of the city's expansion in the south of the city, it was decided to build a new church dedicated to Saint Peter.Source: hieracon.it/Isola/14-chiesa_san_carlo.php

The Church of St. Charles Borromeo in Carloforte stands proudly as a symbol of history and devotion. 🏛️ Built in 1775, its neoclassical facade and engraved dedication to the king reflect its significance to the community. ⛪ Inside, treasures like mosaics and paintings tell stories of faith and heritage. 🎨 Despite being replaced as the main gathering place, it remains a sacred landmark in Carloforte's heart. 🌟🙏