Part of a Series on Vincentian Heritage Places

Livorno, Filicchi Residence

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In the Venezia Nuova quarter of Livorno, Italy, lies the 18th century palace where Elizabeth and her daughter were hosted by the Filicchi family (Antonio Filicchi and his wife, Amabilia Baragazzi Filicchi) after the death of Elizabeth’s husband, William Seton, in 1803. This old section of the city is called Venezia because of the numerous canals surrounding the houses in that area.

In an article called “Mother Seton’s Livorno” that appeared in the Mpther Seton Guild Bulletin in 1971, Mary Columbus writes about visiting “…this beautiful building with a wide marble staircase and large halls. Some of the rooms still have remnants of the lovely painted scenes that were on the walls in 1804. On the top floor of the building is a large glass-enclosed veranda lending a beautiful view of the sea. Reports relate that Mother Seton frequently walked around this veranda and prayed as she gazed out the windows, thinking of her children in America and expressing her desire to return there, after the death of her husband in Italy. Many pictures of Mother Seton hang throughout the building…”

This was where St. Elizabeth Ann Seton was welcomed and first introduced to Catholicism in 1803, after the death of her husband, William Seton. The family, particularly the brothers Antonio and Filippo, were instrumental in her conversion and subsequent financial support. Although based in Italy, Antonio Filicchi also spent time in the United States. He went to New York and served as a sponsor for Elizabeth Ann Seton during her reception into the Catholic Church in 1805.

About the Filicchi family
Antonio and Filippo Filicchi were patrician brothers and wealthy merchants from Gubbio, Italy. They were business associates of Seton, Maitland & Co., the shipping company run by William Seton’s family.

Palazzo di Giustizia in Venezia Nuova, Livorno. Formerly Filicchi house.

All Vincentian Places in this Series

Red = Vincent de Paul, Blue = Frederic Ozanam, Teal = Elizabeth Seton

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