MUTSEU

MUTSEU

Cagliari

Chapel of Mercy

The chapel was built by the Archconfraternity and thanks to the interest of the Viceroy Antonio Lopez de Ayala, Count of Fuensalida, who sought and obtained from King Charles II a contribution of two thousand real. From the letter written by the viceroy to Charles II to obtain this contribution, it is clear that many miracles  were attributed to the "Santa y Ymagen Milagrosa" (as he called the statue of the Mercy).

The chapel is a beautiful architecture, topped by an elegant dome and embellished with a rich retablo, an altar  whose scenography enhances and enthrones the miraculous statue.

The statue, which dates back to the early decades of the '400, shows the Virgin Mary with open arms in prayer, while the rigid body of the Son falls on her knees: the work is to be attributed  to a Catalan author, influenced by German art.
The altarpiece in which is inserted the Mercy is made up of a niche, flanked by two spiral columns resting on plinths richly decorated with plant motifs, reminding the symbols of the Eucharist.

The chapel, as the plaque placed at its entrance says, was inaugurated and opened on March 1st, 1686.