Church of San Gregorio Magno (Ascoli Piceno)

History of the Church of San Gregorio Magno

The Roman temple was of the Corinthian order, prostyle and tetrastyle (with four columns in front), on a rectangular plan measuring 22.2 × 11.14 meters. By tradition it was dedicated to Vesta. According to the scholar Antonio Rodilossi, however, it was dedicated to Isis, as suggested by an inscription mentioning the enclosure of the Iseum (the sanctuary of Isis).

In the 13th century the temple's space and what remained of it were enclosed by the Romanesque facade, built by reusing large blocks of travertine. The dedication to Pope Gregory I reflects his support for converting pagan temples into Christian churches. The bell tower, on the left, was added in the 14th century, replacing a bell gable.

In the 18th century the church was remodeled. Between 1935 and 1940 a restoration gave it back its Romanesque appearance. In 1950 the building was cleared of the houses that surrounded it.

What to see in the Church of San Gregorio Magno

Outside, the striking feature is the pair of Corinthian columns on the right of the facade, built into the wall. They have a diameter of 90 cm, are 8.82 m tall including the capital, taper toward the top and have 20 flutes. The capitals are made of two stacked stone blocks. The two entrances are simple: the main one has a round arch, the other opens between the columns and has a lintel.

The interior has a single nave with a timber truss roof. Sections of the temple's cella in opus reticulatum and the corner pilasters in travertine blocks are still visible. The back wall rests on a stretch of ashlar wall (opera quadrata), 2.06 m high and 13.50 m wide, which held back the ground behind the temple.

On the walls and pillars there are traces of frescoes from the 13th and 14th centuries. Among them are a well-preserved San Francesco preaching to the birds and an image of Pope Gregory with the deacon Peter and an angel.

Visiting the Church of San Gregorio Magno

Before going, it is worth checking whether the interior can be visited. The facade alone, with its Roman columns, is worth a stop.

Where the Church of San Gregorio Magno is

The church stands in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno, behind the Palazzo dell'Arengo, in the small Piazzetta di San Gregorio. The square connects the level of the city with the Colle dell'Annunziata (Annunziata hill). It is reached by walking up from piazza Arringo along via Tornasacco.

Around the Church of San Gregorio Magno

Nearby is the 18th-century Church of Santa Maria del Buon Consiglio, an example of Ascoli Baroque. For other sights in the city, see the page on things to do in Ascoli Piceno.