Opera (fabrica ecclesiae)
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Opera is a term commonly used in Tuscany (Italy)) to describe the Fabrica ecclesiae foundations. The general term in use in Italy is Fabbriceria, but local entities use Opera, instead, or Fabbrica or Cappella or Maramma, depending on the Region.
Operas are a confessional foundation, led by a laical deputation elected in part from the bishop and in part from Ministry of the Interior. This is and old heritage of the highly diversified nature of Fabrica ecclesiae foundation all over Italy. Originally they were designated by bishops who wanted to separate their spiritual affairs from pecuniary ones but, in the centuries, people from the local administrations entered the deputations. In the past was very important to have control of a fabrica, because they managed the commerce of cereals and had possession of several palaces, it was like being a second Lord of the city. Nowadays fabricas are only intended to keep their buildings with restoration works, maintenance, sourveillance and letting conduct daily religious services without interfering. Most of fabricas are under Associazione Fabbricerie Italiane a national association founded in 2007. The following fabricas are part of the Associazione Fabbricerie Italiane:
- Opera Laicale della Cattedrale di Chiusi (Cathedral of Chiusi)
- Opera di Santa Croce di Firenze (Church of Santa Croce of Florence))
- Opera Santa Maria del Fiore di Firenze (Cathedral of Florence)
- Veneranda Fabbrica del Duomo di Milano (Cathedral of Milan)
- Opera del Duomo di Orvieto (Cathedral of Orvieto)
- Fabbriceria della Basilica Cattedrale di Parma (Cathedral of Parma)
- Fabbriceria della Chiesa Cattedrale Monumentale di S. Stefano Martire in Pavia (Cathedral of Pavia)
- Fabbriceria della Chiesa Cattedrale di Pienza (Cathedral of Pienza)
- Opera della Primaziale Pisana (Cathedral of Pisa)
- Opera del Duomo di Prato della Chiesa Cattedrale Monumentale di S. Stefano (Cathedral of Prato)
- Opera della Metropolitana di Siena (Cathedral of Siena)
- Fabbriceria della Sagrestia della Cattedrale di Todi (Cathedral of Todi)
- Procuratoria di San Marco di Venezia (Cathedral of Venice)
- Opere Ecclesiastiche Riunite di Montepulciano (Cathedral of Montepulciano)
- Fabbriceria del Duomo di Monreale (Cathedral of Monreale)
