Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Sarnano
Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Sarnano
- Type
- Church
- Address
- Piazza AltaSarnano (MC)
Source: site database, © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta (Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta), also known as Santa Maria di Piazza Alta, stands at the highest point of the historic center of Sarnano, in the province of Macerata. It is a Catholic church of 13th-century origin, Romanesque in style, built of brick. It holds a 13th-century crypt and frescoes by artists such as Nicolò Alunno and Lorenzo d'Alessandro. The 2016-2017 earthquake made it partly unusable: before visiting, it is best to check which parts are open.
On the map
Points from the site database. Map © OpenStreetMap contributors · Protomaps.
History of the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The church dates from the 13th century. It was commissioned by Benedictine monks from the Abbazia di San Biagio di Piobbico, who wanted an oratory in Sarnano. Local craftsmen built it in brick. The work was completed at the end of the 14th century, in 1396, with the raising of the bell tower and the hanging of the bells.
The title of collegiate church came only in 1834, granted by Pope Gregory XVI, after an earlier concession by Pius VII in 1818. During the Second World War the iron in the municipality was requisitioned for military use, but the bells of the collegiate church and of the other churches were spared.
After the war the church was restored by the engineer Mariano Gavasci. He had the portico demolished, restored the frescoes, reopened access to the crypt and added paintings and stained glass in the apse area.
What to see in the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Sarnano
The facade is gabled. The portal has richly decorated frames and archivolts. Above the entrance is a small roof, supported by animal-shaped elements that represent religious figures.
The interior has a single nave, with three chapels on the left side. Beneath the presbytery is the 13th-century crypt, the oldest part of the church. Stairways near the altar connect it to the upper level.
The walls preserve frescoes and paintings by various artists: Lorenzo d'Alessandro, Paolo Bontulli, Pietro Alemanno, Giovanni Angelo d'Antonio and Nicolò Alunno.
Visiting the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta
The earthquakes of 2016 and 2017 made it partly unusable. Because of its structural unsafety, firefighters rescued the works of art on the instructions of the Soprintendenza (the heritage authority). Before planning a visit, it is best to ask about current access, because some parts may be closed.
Where the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta is located
The church is in Sarnano, at the highest point of the historic center. It belongs to the Archdiocese of Camerino-San Severino Marche and is part of the vicariate of San Ginesio.
Around the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta
Other churches in the area are listed on the page dedicated to the churches of the Sibillini Mountains.
Frequently asked questions
Can the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Sarnano be visited?
When was the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta built?
Which artists worked in the collegiate church of Sarnano?
What lies beneath the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta?
Nearby
What to see nearby
- Vittoria Theater in SarnanoTheater or auditoriumunder 100 m
- under 100 m
- Municipal Art Gallery and Civic Museums in SarnanoMuseum or art galleryunder 100 m
Where to stay
- under 100 m
- 100 m
- Area Camper in SarnanoRV area200 m
Where to eat
- La Picassera, SarnanoRestaurantunder 100 m
- Le Clarisse, SarnanoRestaurantunder 100 m
- Memphis Belle Bar, SarnanoBar and caféunder 100 m
Straight-line distances.