Church of Purgatory - Chiesa del Purgatorio, also known as Chiesa di Santa Maria del Suffragio, was built in 1649.
This church owes its existance to the devout generosity of the Dukes of Gravina - Ferdinando III orsini and his wife Giovanna Francipane della Toffa, who were also the parents of Pope Benedict XIII.
The facade captures our attention with its striking allegorical elements.
The entrance is flanked by two skeletons, a poignant reminder of mortality.
Above the portal, the Orsini-Toffa family crest is displayed.
There are also inscriptions that echo the sentiment of memento mori:
Quod tu es ego fui - What you are, I once was:
Tu eris quod ego sum - What I am, you will be.

The popular name derives from its historical function linked to the cult of the souls in Purgatory.
It was a popular theme in the iconography and devotion of the Baroque area in Italy.
Those churches were dedicated to the veneration of the dead and the salvation of their souls and were established for celebrating masses for the souls in Purgatory and to help them in their journey to the celestial realm.