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Church of St Jude Thaddeus and St Onuphrius in Gaeta: the neo-Gothic church on Via Angioina
The church of San Giuda Taddeo e Sant'Onofrio (Saints Thaddeus and Onuphrius) stands along Via Angioina, in the historic centre of Gaeta, on a narrow stretch of road that climbs towards Monte Orlando. Although small and partially ruined, its outline, with neo-Gothic decorations, stands out in the city's skyline when seen from the gulf.
The origins of the church
The small church was originally built as a place of worship dedicated to St Onuphrius. The earliest records date back to 1509: a deed drawn up by notary Francesco Pesce states that the Procurators of the Holy House of the Annunciation, then owners of the building, granted rectorship to the priest Giovanni de Abaste. In 1525, Cardinal De Vio annexed it to the church of the Annunciation.
The Bourbon reconstruction
Over the centuries, the church was damaged during various sieges. In 1853, Ferdinand II ordered its demolition and reconstruction, entrusting the works to Giacomo Guarinelli, a captain of the Bourbon Military Engineers. Guarinelli was already working on the nearby church of San Francesco (St Francis), and adopted the same neo-Gothic style that was popular in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies at the time. Ferdinand II then decided to rededicate the restored church to St Jude Thaddeus.
What can be seen today
The church, which was also used as a storage depot for years, is now abandoned and at risk of collapse. The three altars installed by Ferdinand II in 1853 are no longer there, but the neo-Gothic cladding with trefoil mouldings remains.
