Cappella Madonna dell'Arco

The Chapel of the Madonna dell'Arco (Our Lady of the Ark) is a place of worship located on Via Principe, in the historic centre of Sirignano, a town in Irpinia.

Built in the early 17th century by the Sgambati family, this small religious building was initially constructed to serve as a private burial chamber. The work presumably ended in 1609, according to what can be seen from the marble slab that seals the underground burial chamber on the inside.

Today, the Chapel is distinguished by its sober façade with a stone doorway in the middle, surmounted by a semicircular aedicule depicting the image of the "Madonna with Child", made of majolica tiles. Originally, the Church was equipped with a small bell gable, which was knocked down after the earthquake of 23 November, 1980, and has now been replaced by an iron structure holding a bell. Inside, the single-nave building houses a single altar and is characterised by walls with delicate baroque decorations. The floor shows a small tombstone bearing the Sgambati family coat of arms, which is also displayed on the architrave of the doorway. An image of Our Lady of the Ark stands out on the ceiling, to whom the Church is dedicated and whose worship was widespread at the time of its construction.

A small architectural gem located in the heart of the historic centre, the Chapel is an obvious sign of the precious artistic and cultural heritage that has come down to the Sirignano community to this day.