Cappella dell'Esaltazione della Croce

The Chapel of the Exaltation of the Cross belongs to Gorizia's archbishop's palace complex. Founded by Agostino Codelli in 1746, its compact interior and Rococo facade preserve the character of a noble family's private oratory.

Why it matters

The chapel connects personal patronage with Gorizia's emergence as an archiepiscopal seat. Codelli's bequest of the palace and chapel provided a residence for the new ecclesiastical institution, established after the dissolution of the Patriarchate of Aquileia.

What to notice

Paired pilasters, a recessed central bay and a broken pediment articulate the facade. The portal bears Codelli's initials and the date 1746, while his coat of arms reinforces the family association. Rounded interior forms and the lantern concentrate attention on the marble altar. Its authorship has been attributed to Giovanni Battista Mazzoleni, although Francesco Bensa has also been proposed.

Context and history

Codelli added the chapel to the older Palazzo Cobenzl, which became the archdiocese's residence in 1751. The chapel floor and crypt preserve his funerary memorial. The designer of the building remains debated, with Saverio Giani and Michele Bonn among the proposed names; its compact plan became a reference for later churches in the area.