Church of Saint Mary of the Announcement

Nice style

The church is beautiful

The church probably dates back to the mid-fifteenth century and stands close to the square of the old village, with the facade facing the valley in a dominant position. In the 17th century it was elevated to the rank of "Collegiata" and in 1843 to "Collegiata insigne". In 1750 it was demolished and then rebuilt in the Baroque style. On the upper facade there are the two statues of S. Tommaso and S. Pietro martyr, patron saint of the town. The plan is rectangular in the shape of a Latin cross, with three naves, the central apse and the frescoed dome. An ancient organ is kept in the choir. Noteworthy is the sacristy which retains its own charm. The painting placed in the center of the apse is by the Neapolitan painter Francesco De Mura (1696-1782) from the school of Francesco Solimena. The work, oil on canvas, depicts the SS. Annunziata. On the right arm of the transept is the painting, also oil on canvas, depicting "Piety with Christ taken down from the Cross in the arms of the Virgin". The work dates back to the early eighteenth century and is of the Neapolitan school. On the left arm of the transept still an oil painting on canvas. This is "The Last Supper", a copy of the famous work by Paolo Veronese, which reveals the influence of the school of Luca Giordano. Other paintings of lesser interest are found on the altars of the side aisles, among which an oil on canvas depicting the Madonna and Child with S. Biagio and S. Antonio Abate, a work probably dated to the end of the sixteenth century, deserves a mention. Also to be admired is the beautiful wooden choir and pulpit, made by local artisans perhaps at the end of the nineteenth century. The Church has recently undergone restoration works which undoubtedly benefited from.