A little history of Saint-Martin and Saint-Augustin church in Nice
And also
The tops
An old church
This is the oldest parish in Nice, created in 1510! Several events happened here: the tradition says Martin Luther said Mass here in June 20th 1534...
Garibaldi was baptized here. Archives mention: "On July 19th 1807, Joseph-Marie, born on July 4th, son of Jean-Dominique Garibaldi, sailor, and Rose Raymondo, was baptized." The family of the famous Italian politician lived in the district...
But what about our church? The old bell-tower collapsed in 1887 and the façade dates back to 1854.
The protector saint
Inside, look at this painting, in Saint-Nicolas chapel! Who’s that man, praying?
Saint Nicolas of Tolentino, an Augustine hermit who became patron saint of Nice! People especially prayed him during the city siege in 1706, when king Louis XIV’s army fought against duke of Savoy.
They decided to invoke the saint, in order to calm down the war! They gave him offerings and masses took place in front of his altar, in his chapel. And the war ended...
Tolentino also cured sick persons: people even sold little breads, after mass, with the saint’s effigy on them... a kind of medicine or lucky charm!
Bréa’s pieta
Another curiosity, here: a Pieta made by Louis Bréa. This painting (about 1m45 long) is a Pieta: we can see Virgin Mary with her son Jesus, dead on her knees, with saint John and Mary-Magdalene by her side. This Pieta was made in 1489. A very touching scene!
Faces are pretty moving, especially John’s face, on the left, who's crying... The scene is pretty dark, only enhanced by blue and grey touches (the sky) and red strokes (saints' clothes)...