Church of Santa Maria (Castelsantangelo sul Nera)

History of the Church of Santa Maria

In October 2016 the tremors brought down part of the roof and the long entrance wall. The flaking of the limewash revealed old paintings from the early 15th century, in the chapel and under the canvas of the Baroque high altar.

The church was made safe in a joint operation by the Soprintendenza (heritage authority) and the crisis unit. In 2018 it was secured again and its walls and roof were enclosed once more. This allowed it to take back most of the movable works previously sheltered at the Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona.

What to see in the Church of Santa Maria

The building has a single nave. In the apse is a richly decorated 17th-century Baroque wooden altar, with a 17th-century Mannerist canvas by an anonymous artist at its center. Frescoes attributed to the school of Paolo da Visso emerge on the walls.

The most important new finds are the 15th-century frescoes that came to light after the earthquake. After the work, parts of the wooden altars and the twisted columns of the high altar were put back in place.

How to visit the Church of Santa Maria

The church was badly damaged by the 2016 earthquake. The 2018 work consisted of temporary solutions, which made it possible to see the frescoes and the wooden altars while staying safely at the church entrance. Before visiting, it is best to check with the Comune (town hall) of Castelsantangelo sul Nera whether entry is allowed.

Where the Church of Santa Maria is

The church is in Vallinfante, in the municipality of Castelsantangelo sul Nera, in the Marche region. It stands above the village, among the last houses of the hamlet.

Around the Church of Santa Maria

Vallinfante has two other churches: San Pietro and the Madonna della Maina, deconsecrated but recently restored. The Nera river rises here, at 902 m above sea level. Near the source is also the Centro Faunistico (wildlife center), owned by the municipality and damaged by the 2016-2017 earthquake. For other religious buildings in the area, the page about the churches of the Sibillini Mountains gives a wider overview.