Do you know the meaning of the designs decorating the church’s main doors?
The restoration of the metal panels that cover the main doors revealed the rich decorative designs adorning them. The symbols and allegories come together in unison to sing the praises of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, namesake of the church. The doors announce Christ, who said “I am the door for the sheep” (John 10, 7-10), whilst a t the same time proclaiming the glory of Mary.
At first sight, you are struck by the profusion of the VEGETABLE and FLORAL decorative framing: they announce that heaven is a new paradise, a new verdant blooming garden, a new Eden. Our senses are therefore triggered through the sense of sight: through these doors you enter into life. The second impression directs your gaze to the two large symbols on the doors: the SUN and the MOON. They already appear in the Apocalypse, and from ancient times they have represented Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary: Christ is like the sun, filling the world with his light; Mary is like the moon, who has received his sunlight and reflects it back on to mankind. These two symbols appear as both large and striking, and are adorned with crowns that infuse them with solemnity.
Looking towards the upper section, you will see a DOUBLE ANAGRAM composed of large interlaced letters: “AV” and “MA”. They are acronyms for AV(e) MA(ria), in repetition of the greeting made by the angel to Mary at the Annunciation.
On the four corners of the greeting, the praises to the Virgin are completed with the representation of the eight attributes of Mary in the form of figures from the litany. These symbols appear in the Old Testament and were used in medieval devotions to the Virgin Mary by means of the following allegories:
- PALM TREE – Symbol of life in the desert.
- CYPRESS TREE – Symbol of eternity because it neither sheds its leaves nor suffers from woodworm.
- LILY – Symbol of chastity and purity.
- ROSE – Symbol of charity due to the aroma it offers up to everyone.
- DOOR – Symbol of the path that leads to heaven.
- WELL – Symbol of wisdom brought to the surface in the same way as water is.
- FOUNTAIN – Symbol of Mary from whom Jesus sprang.
- TOWER – Symbol of the strength of faith.
