Sainte Rita Church (Annonciation Church)

17th-century Baroque church in Vieux Nice

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Officially named the Annonciation church, it is popularly known as the Saint Rita church, the patron saint of impossible causes. It is one of the oldest churches in Nice, originally built in the 10th century.

The building which stands today is from the 17th century, rebuilt in 1677 to make it larger. In 1793 it was closed and turned into a salt storehouse, reopened in 1806 as a church.

It has a grand interior, quite a surprise when you compare it with the rather dull exterior, reconstructed in 1836 and never finished. The chapel dedicated to Saint Rita has frescoes depicting the life of the saint, and is the centre of the celebrations in her honour on May 22nd, when roses are blessed to aid in the recovery of the sick.