Also known as the Church of the Vergine dei Sette Dolori di Sorrento because in ancient times it housed the homonymous Congregation. In spite of being located along one of the decumani in the town’s historical centre, it is in fact one of the most recent, dating back to the start of the 18th century.
The Sorrento nobility were keen for it to be built since they wanted their own headquarters for the Congregation.
After a long wait, during which the brotherhood were looking for somewhere suitable, they decided to buy some land and start building the church. It was finished in 1739.
From an architectural point of view, the church has an exquisite Baroque style. Inside you can admire a beautiful altar with a lovely eighteenth-century statue of the Madonna Addolorata dressed in black.
It has two side chapels and above their piperno altars you can admire two large canvases painted by the well-known artist Carlo Amalfi (1769), the first depicting the Holy Family, the second the Holy Trinity in Glory.
Despite its short history, the church has lived eventful years. On 8th October 1844, lightning struck the roof and caused the bell tower to collapse. Then, after the Unity of Italy, the bretherens were forced to dissolve the Brotherhood since they were all legitimists close to the Bourbons. Deconsecrated in 1868, an earthquake further damaged it in 1980. Closed for over 30 years, thanks to huge funding, the church has returned to splendour. Nowadays it often accommodates artistic initiatives and all kinds of exhibitions.