The Church in Sant'Ilario

The Church of Sant'Ilario is located in the center of the small village of the same name, in the municipality of Campo nell'Elba.

Of uncertain dating, it is believed to have been built by the Appiani within ancient fortified bastions, erected by the Pisans when they ruled the Island of Elba.

Fun fact: The life of Sant'Ilario is remembered for a long journey back to Gaul, which led him to visit the Tuscan islands. It was probably the memory of this visit that inspired the construction of a church dedicated to him, which gave its name to the village.

Originally a single-nave church, the building was expanded at the end of the 17th century with the addition of two side naves.

The facade is in Baroque style and is flanked by a characteristic pentagonal belfry, probably made from a previous watchtower built to protect the village.

In 1765, within the parish, the two brothers Don Simone and Don Erasmo Gori had the altar of Our Lady of Sorrows constructed. In 1874, two other brothers, Giacomo and Francesco Gori, erected and furnished the Chapel of the Heart of Mary, enriching it with an artistic wooden statue sculpted by Antonio Rossi from Siena.

The fact that the Church of Sant'Ilario was of significant importance and wealth is also testified by the large quantity of sacred vestments (now called liturgical vestments) preserved in the sacristy cabinets, along with the furnishings necessary for the liturgy.

In 1912, thanks to the efforts of the parish priest Don Teodoro Mannucci, the church was completely restored and decorated.

The paintings in the church feature the typical iconography of the souls in Purgatory and that of saints contemplating a small picture of the Virgin with the Child. The recent frescoes, however, were created by the Elban artist Eugenio Allori.