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Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie (San Ginesio)

Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie (San Ginesio)

Type
Church
Municipality
San Ginesio (MC)

Source: site database, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

The Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie (Abbazia di Santa Maria delle Macchie) is a Benedictine monastery in the hamlet of Macchie in San Ginesio. Its most remarkable feature is the Romanesque crypt with seven aisles, crowded with columns and pilasters. Materials from the nearby Roman city of Urbs Salvia were reused to build the abbey. The 2016-2017 Central Italy earthquake left the complex unsafe for use: before a visit, it is best to check whether it is accessible.

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On the map

Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.

The history of the Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie

The date of its founding is uncertain. The extensive reuse of Roman materials from Urbs Salvia suggests the 8th-9th centuries, while the building techniques of the crypt, from the 12th century, point to a founding after the 10th century. A parchment kept in the archive of the cathedral of San Severino Marche shows that the structure existed in 1171. The first confirmed documentation dates from the 13th century. The abbey is one of four founded by the Benedictines in the area.

In 1252 it passed to the commune of San Ginesio. In 1500 it was in the hands of a private individual who enjoyed its income. By the 16th century its importance had become limited, but it remained a Benedictine institution until 1848, when the monks had to leave because of the secularization of church property. In 1658 Cardinal Giovanni Evangelista Pallotta promoted the restoration of the entire complex, church and monastery.

What to see at the Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie

The well-preserved Romanesque crypt has seven aisles and holds some of the few original elements. Some columns are Romanesque, with decorations of plants and animals. Others have ancient Roman Ionic capitals or marble shafts.

The facade is Baroque, from the 17th century, with a curved pediment. An earlier rose window was replaced by four rectangular windows. The original round-arched terracotta portal included fragments of salvaged materials, among them marble friezes and volutes.

The 17th-century restoration reduced the church's aisles, leaving only the central nave. The presbytery is raised to make room for the crypt, and the apse has two large chapels. The adjacent buildings may be remains of the monastery.

How to visit the Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie

The 2016-2017 earthquake left the abbey unsafe for use, so access to the interior cannot be taken for granted. Before setting out, check the current situation. For other places of worship in the area, see the page on the churches of the Sibillini Mountains.

Where the Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie is located

The abbey stands in the hamlet of Macchie, in the municipality of San Ginesio.

Frequently asked questions

Can the Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie be visited?

The 2016 and 2017 Central Italy earthquake left it unsafe for use. Before going, it is best to ask for up-to-date information on whether the complex can be accessed or at least seen from the outside.

When was the Abbey of Santa Maria delle Macchie founded?

The founding date is uncertain. A parchment in the archive of the cathedral of San Severino Marche proves that the structure existed in 1171. The first confirmed documentation, however, dates from the 13th century. Based on its building techniques, the crypt is from the 12th century.

What is special about the abbey's crypt?

The crypt is Romanesque, well preserved, and has seven aisles crowded with columns and pilasters. Some columns have decorations of plants and animals, others ancient Roman Ionic capitals or marble shafts. It is the oldest core of the abbey and preserves some of the few original elements.

Until when did the Benedictines live at the abbey?

The Benedictines remained at Santa Maria delle Macchie until 1848. In that year the secularization of church property forced them to leave. In 1252 the complex had passed to the commune of San Ginesio, and in 1500 it was owned by a private individual who enjoyed its income.

Nearby

Straight-line distances.