#madonnelle

[sodidjoballdays]

Vincent Stiepevich (American, 1841-1911) A Visit To Lvov

[jamesreiningerphotography]

The Madonnelle, aka The Madonnas. When we were in Italy several years ago I noticed these portraits of either the Virgin Mary or Jesus. I assumed they were shrines, but never knew what they were called. I’m not sure about Jesus, but apparently the ones with Mary are known Madonnelle, or Little Madonnas. They are meant to protect the people on that particular street. #madonnelle #madonnelleshrines #madonnashrine #worship #catholicism #medival #streetart #italy #rome #naplesitaly #naples #florence #tuscany #venice #murano #burano #photography #travelphotography #italianstreetphotography #streetphotography #madonna #virginmary https://www.instagram.com/p/CDXZfqWpwFk/?igshid=1az8a5fxkzrjh

[opticallyaddicted]

Small Madonnas

Romans call madonnelle (small Madonnas) the tiny shrines (called edicole from the Latin,aedicula , diminutive of aedes, temple)) hanging on the walls of many old buildings. There are well over 500 of them,mainly located in the historical part of the city, but once they were thousands, according to a 19th century survey.

The custom of hanging madonnelle on the outer part of buildings, in particular by the corners,sprang from the ancient roman use of building in the streets small public shrines dedicated to the lares compitales, the pagan tutelary deities who presided over the crossroads.

http://roma.andreapollett.com/S2/roma-c13.htm