Church

Throughout Italy, churches are easily visited monuments of great cultural interest and bear witness to important stories; those of Monterubbiano -which in the Middle Ages enjoyed a period of flourishing economy and active cultural life – are no exception. The many churches in the historic center gave rise to the modern urban settlement.

S. Maria dei Letterati (18th century.)

Built on the foundations of the churches of S. Maria della Misericordia and S. Maria dei Letterati, it was promoted to Collegiate church status in 1728 by Benedict XIII. The single-nave plan was modified in 1856 with the addition of the apse and two side transepts, transforming it into a Latin cross plan. Inside, the church houses artistic works of great value. In the apse of the high altar is the 1539 Assumption of the Virgin painting originally commissioned for the Temple of the Annunziata in Florence. The Raphaelesque-style work was created by Vincenzo Pagani (1490-1568), a painter from Monterubbiano whose paintings are housed in major picture galleries throughout Italy. The inlaid walnut root choir was made in 1778 by masters Alessio Donati from Offida and Gaetano Mircoli from Monterubbiano, the latter also being the author of the altars located inside the present San Francesco Auditorium. Above, in the left transept, one can admire the Crucifixion by Lattanzio Pagani (son of Vincenzo and whom Vasari referred to as “Lattanzio della Marca”). On the right, placed to the side of the altarpiece, are three predella panels by Vincenzo Pagani representing: the Kiss of Judas, the Flagellation and the Ascent to Calvary. In the right transept, we can admire the painting of the Apparition of the Sacred Heart to Blessed Margaret Mary Alaloque, an oil on canvas work by painter Luigi Fontana (1827-1908). At the back of the church, above the entrance door there is the organ made in 1794 by the famous Venetian craftsman Callido and recently restored.

Badia dei SS. Flaviano e Biagio (13th century)

Privately owned, the church has on its side facade a beautiful portal from the original 8th-century suburban church and other more remote pagan inscriptions.

S. Michele Arcangelo (11th century)

The small church, which also served as a granary, was totally transformed inside to be adapted into a movie theatre around the 1950s.

S. Maria dell'Olmo (11th-12th century)

The part belonging to the original church is the apse, made of squared sandstone blocks. Only in modern times it was enlarged with a new built unit on the west wing.

SS. Giovanni Battista ed Evangelista (13th century)

Inside there is a major cycle of frescoes and an outstanding 18th-century scenographic display occupying the main nave and internally producing a formidable example of architecture within architecture.

Pievania dei SS. Stefano e Vincenzo (11th century.)

This is the oldest church in the village and has on its exterior side a beautiful portal made using parts of Roman columns.

S. Maria dei Monti (16th century)

The small church, just outside the walls of the historic center, is a masterwork of simplicity and rigor in form. It is situated opposite the neoclassical monumental cemetery complex by Monterubbiano architect Luca Galli. Inside the church there is a fresco of Our Lady of Relief by artist Giovanni Pagani, father of the more famous Vincenzo.

S. Andrea (12th century)

Of the Templar church of S. Andrea there remain a few ruins embedded in the walls near the gate of the same name. The church stood on an important crossroads, probably between Rome and Brindisi, during the period of the crusades. Rome in fact was the arrival point of the Via Francigena and Brindisi was the port of embarkation for the Holy Land.

S. Agostino (13th century)

The church was radically transformed in the 18th century. Today it is possible to admire a major mural painting cycle on the interior ceiling, created with noteworthy workmanship by La Nave, a 20th-century artist who also worked on the creation of Bari’s Petruzzelli theater.

SS. Crocifisso di Piano Nuovo (16th century)

Bishop Paolo Pagani had it built in 1590 with a Latin cross plan and it was completed around 1600. On the outside it is surrounded by a continuous portico on three sides. On the central door, in travertine, there is the coat of arms of Cardinal Bandini, founder of the Confraternity of the Holy Crucifix. Inside there are 1591 frescoes by Giovanni Colucci and two 1639 canvases by Martino Bonfini di Patrignone.