Yep, in the Genoese district of Portoria, next to the District Court building (1960s), there’s an inconspicuous Renaissance church. It’s the Church of St. Catherine of Genoa. Personally, I think it’s one of the most fascinating places in the city.
Portoria District
The Doria family governed this part of the city and took its name from the city gate that stood here. It was the Porta dei Doria, or the Doria family gate, and that’s how the district got its name. The architecture of the entire area was typically Ligurian: narrow carruggi, tall tenement houses, and small squares. Unfortunately, in the 1960s, the local administration had a terrifying idea and demolished the entire building, creating a “new administrative centre” with offices in tall skyscrapers from that period. In turn, the District Court was built on the ruins of the city’s largest hospital, located here. Today, very little remains of the old Portoria… including the Church of St. Catherine.
History
The church was built in the 15th century and initially was called the church of the Annunciation. Initially run by the Franciscan friars, then by the Capuchins and later by the Jesuits, Carmelitans and Agustinians. The church was always associated with the nearby hospital (for years, it served only its patients), to which it was connected by a special corridor. Unlike the nearby hospital, it was not destroyed during World War II.
Catherine Fieschi
She came from one of the most powerful local patrician families and was married off at 16 to Julius Adorno, much older than her. The first years of her marriage were very difficult for her, as her husband was not an easy character. He was known for his erotic adventures (he had five illegitimate children), and he was generally quite entertaining. At the same time, he and Catherine had no children together. That’s how the first ten years of their marriage passed. One day, Catherine experienced a revelation and saw a vision of Christ dripping with blood. After this event, her entire life changed, and she devoted herself entirely to helping the needy and the Church. Her husband also converted, donating all his possessions to the needy, and they moved to a nearby hospital to assist those in need. During this period, Saint Catherine wrote the “Treatise on Purity” and taught about “divine love.” Proclaimed a saint in the 18th century, she is also the patron saint of Italian hospitals.
Mummy
Catherine Fieschi Adorno was buried in a classic family tomb. Two years later, her remains were exhumed and miraculously intact throughout their stay in the tomb. For this reason, it was decided to create a crystal coffin and place it in the church so that the faithful could pay their respects to the saint. This can still be done and meet this incredible figure face-to-face.
