Basilica of Sacro Cuore di Gesù, Grosseto

Sacro Cuore di Gesù (Italian: Sacred Heart of Jesus) is a minor basilica in Grosseto, Tuscany, Italy.

Basilica of Sacro Cuore di Gesù
Basilica of Sacred Heart of Jesus
  • Basilica del Sacro Cuore di Gesù  (Italian)
42.768231°N 11.114281°E / 42.768231; 11.114281
LocationGrosseto, Tuscany
CountryItaly
DenominationRoman Catholic
TraditionLatin Rite
WebsiteOfficial website
History
StatusMinor basilica
Parish church
Consecrated26 April 1958
Architecture
Architect(s)Ernesto Ganelli
Architectural typeBasilica
Groundbreaking1954
Completed1958
Administration
DioceseDiocese of Grosseto

The church was commissioned by the bishop of Grosseto Paolo Galeazzi, who intended to pay homage to the fallen in the 1943 Grosseto bombing.[1] On 26 April 1943, the day of Easter Monday, the city was bombed by the Americans, who concentrated on targeting civilians.[2] 134 civilians died that day, especially children who were playing in a funfair set up outside the city walls.[3][4]

The monumental building was designed by engineer Ernesto Ganelli.[5] Construction began in 1954 and was completed in four years.[1] On 26 April 1958, anniversary of the bombing, bishop Paolo Galeazzi consecrated the church, which was elevated to minor basilica by pope Pius XII on 6 June.[1]

Sacro Cuore di Gesù is decorated with bronze sculptures by artist Tolomeo Faccendi.[6] The decorations include the fourteen stations of the Cross (1954–55) in the nave-aisles, the four Evangelists (1957) on the main facade, the Christ the Redeemer (1958) on the top of the dome, and the Pietà (1960) inside the crypt. The crypt is also decorated with the names of those who died in all World War II bombings in Grosseto; bishop Galeazzi, who died in 1971, has been buried into the crypt.

References
  1. "Sacro Cuore". Diocese of Grosseto (in Italian). Retrieved 27 March 2020., for more on the 1943 bombing, see Strategic bombing during World War II § Bombing in Italy
  2. "Grosseto 1943 bombs" (in Italian). Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  3. "Bombardamento del 26 aprile 1943. Intervento del sindaco Emilio Bonifazi in ricordo delle 134 vittime grossetane, colpite in un giorno di festa mentre si trovavano al Luna park allestito in piazza De Maria". Comune di Grosseto (in Italian). 26 April 2010. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. "Bombardamento di Pasquetta: la storia di Divo, che morì a 14 anni sotto le bombe «Dammi un bacio, non ci rivedremo»". Il Giunco (in Italian). 25 April 2018. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  5. "Ganelli Ernesto". Sistema Informativo Unificato per le Soprintendenze Archivistiche (in Italian). Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  6. "Faccendi Tolomeo". Sistema Informativo Unificato per le Soprintendenze Archivistiche (in Italian). Retrieved 27 March 2020.
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