Church of Santi Martino e Giorgio (Caldarola)

History of the Church of Santi Martino e Giorgio in Caldarola

The first church was Romanesque. A carved stone above the entrance door bears the Gothic inscription «S. Martinus», which points to the 12th-13th century. Of the original building, the apse, facing east according to medieval custom, and the south side wall remain. The apse shows that the church had two chapels, one above the other. In its present form the church dates from a transformation carried out before the mid-16th century, which kept only these two sides of the original. It is dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, patron saint of Vestignano.

What to see in the Church of Santi Martino e Giorgio

Above the lintel of the portal is a high relief of Saint Martin on horseback giving his cloak to the poor man. Inside, on the inner facade, Giovanni Andrea De Magistris signed and dated 1551 the fresco with Saints Martin and George. In 1538 the same painter had frescoed a Madonna and Child with Saints Roch and Sebastian.

The end wall, where the high altar stands, is decorated by Simone De Magistris, son of Giovanni Andrea. It shows the Crucifixion and, at the sides, Saint Martin and the poor man and Saint George slaying the dragon. Other frescoes from the early 15th century are attributed to the Maestro di Rasiglia: they depict Saint Leonard of Noblac and the Madonna enthroned with the Child. In the mid-18th century Domenico Luigi Valeri painted a Saint Anthony of Padua.

How to visit the Church of Santi Martino e Giorgio

The interior cannot be visited while the church remains unsafe. The diocese has informed the town hall that it is planning the work on the Vestignano church. It is advisable to check the progress of the work before setting out.

Where the Church of Santi Martino e Giorgio is located

The church is in Vestignano, in the municipality of Caldarola. Caldarola is reached via the Val di Chienti expressway, from the exit of the same name. From the church parking lot there is a good view of the castle. Vestignano can also be reached on foot by the «sentiero De Magistris» (De Magistris trail), which starts from the Caldarola cemetery.

Around the Church of Santi Martino e Giorgio in Caldarola

The fortified village of Vestignano keeps a cylindrical corner tower and a stone ring of walls. The lanes are narrow and the houses are of stone and brick; some are uninhabited because of the earthquake. In Caldarola is the Church of Santi Gregorio e Valentino, badly damaged by the earthquake. There is also the Church of Santi Pietro e Biagio (Caldarola). Other places of worship in the area are on the page on churches of the Sibillini Mountains.