Church of San Marco (Valfornace)

History of the Church of San Marco in Valfornace

The Church of San Marco was built in medieval times. For centuries it depended on the pieve of Bovigliano, today's Pievebovigliana, whose parish priest chose the rector and baptized the children of the village. San Marco never had a baptismal font: baptism was administered in the church of the Assunta in Nemi.

Nothing remains of the medieval building. From that period survives a large processional cross in embossed and gilded metal, now kept by the Curia of Camerino.

What to see in the Church of San Marco

The interior has a single nave with a trussed roof, a rectangular choir and a small bell tower. The main work is the 1513 triptych, in a wooden frame from a later period, attributed to Nobile di Francesco, a painter from Lucca who lived for many years in Caldarola. It is one of the few works dated and signed by the artist.

The central panel shows the Madonna and Child between Saint Mark, Saint Matthias, Saint Sebastian and Saint Stephen. In the cusps, the Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary appear on either side of Christ blessing. The predella shows Christ in the tomb between Saint Roch and Saint Sebastian. The holy water font, the painted wooden Crucifix and the walnut confessional complete the furnishings.

Visiting the Church of San Marco in Valfornace

The 2016 earthquake severely damaged Fiordimonte and many historic buildings of the Sibillini, so it is worth checking in advance whether the building can be visited before traveling to Alfi.

Where the Church of San Marco is located

The church stands in Alfi, in the territory of the former municipality of Fiordimonte, which was independent until December 31, 2016. Since January 1, 2017 Fiordimonte has been part of the municipality of Valfornace, created by its merger with Pievebovigliana.

Around the Church of San Marco

In Fiordimonte, the church of Sant'Antonio, which holds a Crucifixion between the Madonna and Saints by Girolamo di Giovanni, and the church of the Assunta are recorded. Other churches of the municipality are the Church of Rosario in Valfornace and the Church of Santissimo Crocifisso, Valfornace. For a wider overview, see the page on churches in the Sibillini Mountains.