Chiesa Del Rosario (Church of the Rosary), Sorrento

The Church of the "Saints Felice and Baccolo," also known as the Church of the Rosary, is a stunning architectural gem located in Sorrento, along Via Tasso in the historic town center. Famous for its beautiful Baroque style, it's considered one of Sorrento's most splendid churches, especially since it's in the hometown of the renowned poet Torquato Tasso. Despite its relatively small size, the Church of the Rosary has played a significant role in the history of the Sorrento Coast, serving as the Cathedral of Sorrento from the 12th to the 15th centuries.

The church's origins are veiled in mystery and legend. Legend has it that it was built on the remains of an ancient temple dedicated to Jupiter, or perhaps on the site of the former Roman Pantheon. According to local tales, the Duke of Sorrento, Sergio, ordered its construction in the early 1100s to rid the area of evil spirits.

Inside the church, there's a single nave with a statue of the Madonna of the Rosary on the main altar. On the right side as you enter, there's an altar originally from the Church of San Vincenzo, topped by a 16th-century painting recently restored, showing Saint Dominic, Saint Rose, and other Dominican Saints receiving a rosary from the Virgin Mary and the Infant Jesus. Fifteen miniatures around this painting depict the mysteries of the Rosary.

On the left side of the church, there's an altar once owned by the noble Sorrento family of Donnorso, with a painting featuring Saint Joseph, Saint Gennaro, and Saint Raphael, along with angels, surrounding a Byzantine icon of the Madonna with the Infant Jesus. The ceiling displays a magnificent depiction of the Holy Trinity.

The Church of the Rosary is renowned for its vibrant marble walls adorned with saint statues. Its high altar, crafted by Antonio Gandolfo in the early 18th century, dazzles with angelic motifs and depicts the Holy Spirit crowning the Tabernacle. Below rests an urn holding the relics of Saint Baccolo, the town's patron saint and former bishop of Sorrento, adding layers of historical and spiritual significance to this architectural gem.