Church of San Montano (Cascia)

History of the Church of San Montano in Cascia

In 1080 the monks of Farfa divided the territory into eleven monastic cells. The fourth, with a prior and six monks, was in Roccaporena. The monastery was later dedicated to San Montano and followed the Rule of Saint Benedict. According to tradition, Montano came to Roccaporena from Asia Minor to preach the Gospel. He died in the village with a reputation for holiness, and the people proclaimed him their protector, naming the parish church after him.

The current building is the result of several rebuildings. The oldest church had a single nave, corresponding to today's left nave, and the right nave was added in the 14th century. Saint Rita lived in Roccaporena for thirty-six years and attended this church for Mass and other services.

What to see in the Church of San Montano

The gabled facade has a round-arched portal, a circular window and a small bell gable with two bells. In the lunette of the portal is an Umbrian-school fresco of the Virgin and Child.

The interior has two naves with cross vaults. On the half-dome of the apse is the Coronation of the Virgin. In 2020 the restoration of the frescoes in the apse basin was unveiled. In the lower part, the apostles re-emerged after remaining under whitewash for years. The frescoed niches include the hermits Macario and Bordone, dated 1570. Near the holy water font, a Crucifix between Saint Anthony and Blessed Rita is attributed to the Sparapane. The stone baptistery is from the 16th century.

Visiting the Church of San Montano

The church is the parish church of Roccaporena and is part of the circuit of places linked to Saint Rita. It is just a few steps from the Sanctuary. Since the church is a place of worship, visits during services call for discretion.

Where the Church of San Montano is located

The church is in Roccaporena, in the municipality of Cascia. It stands along the village's main street. The village is at 707 meters above sea level, about 6 km from Cascia. A single road links Roccaporena to Cascia, and it was opened in 1950.

Around the Church of San Montano

In Roccaporena it is possible to see the Casa Natale (Rita's birthplace), the Casa Maritale (her marital home), the Lazzaretto, the Orto del Miracolo (Garden of the Miracle), the Scoglio della Preghiera (Rock of Prayer) and the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary was built to a design by the Turin architect Oreste Della Piana and consecrated in 1948. The Scoglio is about 120 meters above the village. To see other churches of the area, there is the page about churches in the Sibillini Mountains.