Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino (Caldarola)

History of the Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino in Caldarola

Cardinal Evangelista Pallotta and his brother Martino bought much of the "castrum vetus", the old castle, and demolished many buildings, including the old church of San Gregorio, to build their residence and park. By a deed of October 30, 1603 the cardinal undertook to move the parish functions to the new church at his own expense. Here the cult of Saint Gregory was joined with that of Saint Valentine, who previously had a building at Colle Antico.

San Gregorio was already an important place: during the pastoral visit of 1581-1582, the bishop of Camerino, Girolamo Vitale De Buoi, found it to be the main church of the town, the only one with a baptismal font. The oldest notarial deed on Caldarola, a will dated January 25, 1389, records bequests to the churches of San Martino and San Gregorio.

What to see in the Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino

The high altar is in polychrome and gilded wood. It was donated in 1638 by Cardinal Giovan Battista Pallotta, and in 1690 the archpriest Carlo Benedetti had it gilded and silvered. On either side are the cenotaph of Varino Favorino and the tomb of Ludovico Clodio.

The Rosary chapel holds a Madonna of the Rosary with Saints Francis and Dominic. The upper part of the painting is by Giovanni Andrea De Magistris, the two saints are by Durante Nobili. The walls carry the frescoes of the Mysteries of the Rosary, from 1918, the work of Augusto Mussini (Fra Paolo). Sprays of roses climb from the corner vases up to the ceiling, and colors distinguish the Mysteries: red for the Sorrowful, yellow for the Joyful. The cycle is considered one of the few examples of Liberty (Art Nouveau) art on a religious theme. The late Renaissance crucifix on the altar of the Blessed Sacrament was donated by Giovanni Barlesi.

How to visit the Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino

The church is temporarily closed following the 2016 earthquake. Before traveling to Caldarola, it is advisable to check its current status with the Comune (town hall).

An earlier restoration had already repaired the damage from the 1997 earthquake, covering the monument to Ludovico Clodio, the Mussini chapel, the high altar and the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament.

Where the Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino is located

The church stands in the highest part of Caldarola, a municipality in the province of Macerata. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche.

Around the Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino in Caldarola

In Caldarola, visitors can see the Santuario di Santa Maria del Monte, the Pallotta Castle and the Palazzo dei Cardinali Pallotta. The sanctuary holds the image of the Madonna del Monte, painted in 1491 by Lorenzo d'Alessandro on commission from the Blessed Francesco Piani. For other religious sites in the area, see the pages on churches of the Sibillini Mountains and on the Church of Santi Pietro e Biagio, also in Caldarola.