| There are no clear indications as to the foundation of the church. From the historical texts that the church had already been erected in 1610 when it hosted the brotherhood of the Nativity and the Sorrows of the Virgin Mary, that there is still allocated. The dedication of the historic church is Holy Trinity, commonly called the church of the hospital, because next to the church lay the old hospital of Martina Franca. The church plan is rectangular and two-storey houses in the upper chapel of the Confraternity of the Nativity of the Virgin of Sorrows. The facade is embellished by a simple late eighteenth century stone portal that incorporates a large window in the top oval. Next to this entrance is another portal in Baroque style that guaranteed access to the so called hospital. The whole structure is wrapped in a gaudy stone frame that outlines the string course.
Going there in front of the altar stone with the painting of the Holy Trinity Gliri signed by Nicola, Pugliese painter of the seventeenth century. On the right side of the aisle there is the painting of Christ and St. John of God, founder of the Franciscan Friars hospital. On the wall of the left hand is placed the painting of Our Lady of Good News, signed by a talented artist Martina of the eighteenth century, Pietro Mauro. Martina is always a canvas which is situated on the second floor, which houses the chapel of the brotherhood, called the Birth of the Virgin. This is considered the greatest masterpiece of Baroque painting signed by the local Leonardo Antonio Olivieri, judged by historians and critics as a painter of far superior to Dominic Carella.
The painting is striking for the drafting of brilliant color and nuances that define the intimate environment of the mother who just gave birth to the Virgin.
From this holy church every Thursday, at midnight the night procession of Our part that runs along the main streets in the old village between popular devotion, emotion and so much charm. |