Church of the Natività in Portoferraio
The church is the most important in Portoferraio and preserves an altar dedicated to the Madonna del Buon Viaggio
The Rectory of the Natività di Maria is the main church in Portoferraio. The building’s current appearance comes from renovations from the start of the 19th century, when the two side chapels, added in 1623 to the temple built during the reign of Cosimo I de’ Medici, were transformed into a nave.
Inside, the 18th century altar dedicated to the Madonna del Buon Viaggio is a reminder of the vocation of the maritime city which entrusts its boat to Mary; in the altarpiece, an incense-boat is placed as a votive offering which an angel offers to the Virgin Mary.
Among the paintings, the Madonna of the Rosary was mentioned as early as 1632. The altar of the Immacolata still has the 18th-century papier-mâché statue of the Virgin. In the other nave, there is a wooden crucifix dating to 1549, formerly placed on the high altar.
