In the heart of Savignano Irpino’s historic center, the Church of Purgatory stands as a small architectural jewel charged with spirituality and tradition. Built in the 18th century, it stands next to the ancient Church of San Rocco-documented as early as 1588 and then demolished between the 1950s and 1960s-on a site that once served as a burial room. In that place, in fact, the remains of the deceased were transferred from the crypt of the Mother Church, according to an ancient liturgical custom related to the worship of the dead and prayers for the souls in Purgatory.
The church’s sober but harmonious facade was completed in 1831. It is marked by four pilasters that define its vertical rhythm, while an elegant circular rose window stands out in the center, lending brightness to the interior and momentum to the architectural layout. The interior is simple and intimate, consisting of a single nave leading to the presbytery, where the high altar stands out.
A particularly valuable element is the wooden statue of the Immaculate Conception, placed above the altar. Made in 1754, it was commissioned by Michele Pellecchia, one of the town’s most influential notables, who had it carved at his own expense. The statue is still the object of great veneration by the Savignano community, which dedicates moments of prayer and traditional rites to it.
Prominent among these is the evocative tradition of the “Fucagliun,” large bonfires lit on the evening of the Immaculate Conception, December 8, as a sign of devotion and hope. The flames illuminate the streets of the village and become a moment of collective gathering, between spirituality, memory and popular celebration. The Purgatory Church, with its centuries-old history and deep connection to local traditions, continues to be a staple in the religious and cultural life of Savignano Irpino.