CHURCH OF SAN GIACOMO
santa Margherita Ligure
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
The Church di San Giacomo is a building rich in history and spirituality for the community of Santa Margherita Ligure. The current structure was built in the 17th century, although some sources mention the existence of an earlier church.
The exterior features a Baroque façade, with a central niche housing a marble statue of St. James. Inside, the three-nave layout is decorated with frescoes by the painter Nicolò Barabino.
THIS PLACE IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE
A statue tied to a popular legend is kept in the Church di San Giacomo in Corte. It is associated with the cult of the “Madonna della Lettera” (Our Lady of the Letter), which began with a wooden statue found at sea in 1783 by local fishermen. After being recovered and hidden, the statue was later donated to the Chiesa di San Giacomo. It was eventually discovered that the statue was a copy of the image venerated in the shrine in Messina, which had fallen into the sea during an earthquake and was brought by the currents to the Ligurian coast.
Every last Sunday in July, the statue of the “Madonna della Lettera” (Our Lady of the Letter), is carried in procession during the patronal celebrations, an event of great significance to the local community.