A few kilometres from Lecco, nestled in the Lombard Pre-Alps, is the Oratory of the Santissima Immacolata, also known as the former San Luigi Oratory. Designed to be an imposing basilica inspired by Lourdes, it now lies in ruins, shrouded in dense vegetation, a victim of collapse and looting.
The Vision of Monsignor Spirito Maria Chiappetta
An Ambitious Project
In 1906, architect and priest Monsignor Spirito Maria Chiappetta, a leading figure in sacred architecture in the Fascist period, was commissioned to design a basilica in Merate. The intent was to create a ‘Little Lourdes’, a neo-Gothic basilica that would attract the faithful from all over Lombardy.
Who is Monsignor Chiappetta?
Chiappetta, who graduated in engineering from the University of Padua in 1894, was a prominent figure in Italian religious architecture. Appointed president of the Pontifical Commission for Sacred Art between 1929 and 1943, he is known for his neo-Gothic style, less in vogue than the more sober Romanesque of the time. His deep friendship with Pope Pius XI allowed him to become a priest at 56, a rare event that confirmed his influence within the Vatican.
Interrupted Construction and Transformation
The Laying of the First Stone
The Basilica of the Santissima Immacolata construction began on 10 April 1906, with a solemn ceremony in the presence of the local clergy and Count Dal Verme. Despite the enthusiasm and participation of the faithful who contributed with voluntary work and donations, a lack of funds soon led to the work being interrupted.
From Basilica to Oratory
When construction was suspended, part of the building was converted into an oratory and theatre, used by the community for about thirty years under the name of St. Louis Oratory. However, in 1965, the curia decided to abandon the project and five years later sold the property to the municipality of Merate.
Decline and Abandonment
From Oratory to Kennel
After being purchased by the municipality, the building was put to various uses, including kennels and municipal storage. Despite occasional cleaning and consolidation work, the structure continued to deteriorate, with the roof now collapsed and the interior ransacked. In one raid, a valuable marble staircase was even stolen, leaving the interior devastated.
The Legend of the Man on Horseback
A local legend has it that the building’s decline began when a man riding a horse entered the basilica, an act that allegedly caused the place to deconsecrate. Although this is only a myth, many inhabitants of Merate continue to tell this story as a symbol of the decay of the place.
The Future of Little Lourdes
An Endless Project
Over the years, various municipal administrations have tried to find a future for the former San Luigi Oratory. There has been talk of turning it into a museum, a crematorium or a farewell room. The most recent idea is to convert it into an exhibition-cultural centre connected to the Brera Astronomical Observatory. However, due to the constraints of the Stability Pact, every attempt at recovery has been blocked, despite the funds available.
An Uncertain Destiny
Today, the Oratory of the Santissima Immacolata remains fenced off and closed to the public, immersed in a sea of brushwood and creepers. Its decadent appearance attracts the curious, urbex enthusiasts and hunters of abandoned places. But unless bureaucratic obstacles are overcome, the basilica’s future seems destined to remain uncertain, as suspended as its construction that began more than a century ago.
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