Chieti

The family Farinosi Branconi

A native of L’Aquila (main branch), since first decades of 1900 the family seattles in Chieti. Many of the members are known for their engagement in taking part in improving the community of Chieti., thanks to their contribution in newspapers, such as the “Corriere degli Abruzzi”, which had a local circulation.

One of the members was considered a good example for young and adults people for his political activity carried out between 1948 and 1980. In the following Fifties, together with a well-known local business woman, who had the same attention to their fellow citizen needs, the family builds a nursery school in the Church of Sacro Cuore and in the Sixties, they help to enlarge the same church building lateral chapels, one of which has been enriched with a painting of the Seventeenth century wich portrays Saint Francesco (it was dedicated to the Saint of Assisi) and with an altar made in precious marble, a family gift. At present it has been transformed in a confession chapel.

At the end of the Sixties in the cemetery in Chieti, a new one was built on a plan by the architect Giovanni Maria Claudi from Rome.

From the high ground which overlooks this whole Holy place, the chapel raises with its top to the high as a big wing, symbol of the soul aiming to the sky. Inside, the image of the Virgin with the Child prevails over the wall at the bottom of the room (the only painting by Giuseppe Lucidi), which is made of metal remnant treated in particular ways to obtain different colours.

Monumental cemetery in Chieti: Farinosi Branconi chapel

Monumental cemetery in Chieti: internal of family chapel

The place which keeps at the bottom of the altar heraldic banners melt in bronze by the sculptor Terribili, is inspired to Franciscan milieu recalled by two marvellous glass windows which portray (in man size) the images of Saint Francesco on the left wall and of Saint Chiara on the right one.

Beata Ludovica is painted on the right side; she was a Franciscan Sister who lived in the Fifth century, a humanitarian and charitable figure of the Family.

Sensitive to the exploitation of cultural works, the family is engaged in helping the restoration of the Church of Saint Chiara in Chieti, in Arniense street, rich in scenographical effects underlined by vivid ornaments. It is, with all its artistic works, the most garish one in its genre in Abruzzo.

The major altar is impressive with its double columns and monumental alto-rilievo that portray two prophets.

On the altar a big painting prevail which represents the descent of the Holy Spirit in the Cenaculum ascribed to G.G. Spinelli. In the middle, at the lintel height, a medallion is placed portraying God Father. Just above it, there is the big artistic window with the image of Saint Chiara, a family gift.

Moreover, the church has a precious organ of the Eighteenth century made by Adriano Fedri, descendant of the female branch of the same family.

The family has the same interest for the wonderful Church of Saint Francesco, in the Convent of minor friars, which has a marvellous portal of the Seventeenth century, which has been carefully restored.

Chieti: St. Chiara artistic window

Chieti: St. Chiara precious organ of the 1778

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