Santa Maria delle Grazie in Montefortino

History of Santa Maria delle Grazie

Construction dates from 1647, the year carved on the architrave of the left side door. It was promoted by some families of Montefortino. They wanted to offer to the devotion of the faithful an image of the Virgin considered miraculous, which stood in a modest shrine near a local spring. Hence the name Madonna della Fonte (Madonna of the Spring).

The travertine entrance portal dates from 1953 and reproduces the earlier sandstone model.

What to see at Santa Maria delle Grazie

The exterior is plain. The facade has a travertine portal and three simple windows. Above the church rises the octagonal dome with its small lantern.

The interior has a Baroque character, given by the stucco work and the oil paintings on the walls by Domenico Malpiedi, an artist from San Ginesio. His hand can be recognized in the Stories of the Virgin and the many figures of saints. It is a work from the last years of his career. These decorations can be seen only when the church is open.

How to visit Santa Maria delle Grazie

After the damage of the 2016 earthquake the church remained closed for a long time, and before setting out it is worth checking whether the interior is accessible. The facade and dome can be seen from outside. To find out whether the church is open, contact the town of Montefortino.

Its position, a few steps from Porta Santa Lucia, makes it easy to combine the stop with a visit to the historic center.

Where Santa Maria delle Grazie is located

The church is in Montefortino, in the Marche, outside the town walls, near the public gardens. It is a few steps from Porta Santa Lucia, one of the entrances to the village. The center of the town is at 638 m.

Around Santa Maria delle Grazie in Montefortino

Beyond Porta Santa Lucia, the village lanes lead to Piazza Re Umberto I, which offers a wide view of the Sibillini. In the upper part of the town stands the church of San Francesco, next to which the Franciscan friars settled in the mid-16th century. Palazzo Leopardi has housed the Fortunato Duranti Civic Art Gallery in Montefortino since 1996. Its works include a tondo of the Christ of the Passion by Perugino and three panels by Pietro Alemanno.

Along the Ambro stream is the Sanctuary of Madonna dell'Ambro, an 11th-century place of worship. Higher up, the Gole dell'Infernaccio gorge leads to the Hermitage of San Leonardo al Volubrio, an easy-to-reach hiking destination. Other churches in the area are described on the page churches of the Sibillini Mountains.