Saint Eufemia

wonderful church and visit made exciting by the adjacent museum

In every moment you look at it, its humility, compared to the cathedral, hits you! Small, which overlooks the imposing cathedral square but does not obscure the view. Its court, very cited and very bright, is a wonderful gem. The garden in the rear parvis is also delightful, much cited and well preserved. I was unable to go inside because I was in a hurry but it is barrier-free and easily accessible even for the disabled. There are numerous benches in which to sit and relax.

The Basilica of Sant'Eufemia is one of the places where Don Matteo's famous fiction takes place, broadcast on RAI Uno. The building dates back to the 12th century, with an interior with three naves; it was built on the area of ​​the ancient royal and ducal residence.

Near the cathedral of Spoleto, you can visit this enchantment, I am attaching the photos

The church of Sant’Eufemia is one of the most remarkable Romanesque buildings in Umbria. Its origins remain uncertain: according to the most accredited hypothesis, it stands on the area that was once occupied by the palatium when Spoleto was under the dominion of the Lombards who elected the city as a ducal seat. The basilica would therefore result as the evolution of the palatine chapel of the Lombard dukes dedicated to St. Euphemia herself. In the 10th century a monastery of Benedictine nuns was added to the church, founded by the abbess of Germanic origin Gunderada; the gallery, which overlooks the aisles of the church, is what remains of the space intended for the nuns during the office of the celebrations. The transformation of the convent into a bishop's palace probably took place during the 12th century when the extension works of the cathedral required the bishops to move from their original residence. In the 15th century, by the will of the Venetian Marco Condulmer, the church took the title of Santa Lucia. The interior is divided into three naves: the central nave, covered by cross vaults, is flanked by two aisles surmounted by a gallery; the alternation of columns and pillars seems to refer to the Lombard Romanesque, the most shining example of which is the Basilica of Sant’Ambrogio in Milan. On the right, the column that divides the second from the third span is made with a recovered marble element, perhaps from the Lombard period: with a square base, it presents on three sides a decoration with elegant phytomorphic motifs. On the same side, in the next pillar, a fresco depicts Saint Lucia in full figure while on the following column a fresco where the holy martyr Apollonia is recognizable. At the end of the central nave you can admire a beautiful marble altar originally placed in the cathedral; it is decorated with Cosmatesque motifs and has five reliefs with the symbols of the evangelists and the mystical Lamb. The apsidal basin, on the other hand, is decorated with a 16th-century fresco depicting the Eternal among the angels.

Very pleasant Romanesque church to visit. The entrance is made from inside the museum, which is also very interesting to visit.

Very pretty and well kept Romanesque church. Unfortunately we found it closed and we were unable to see the inside. The facade overlooks the cloister while the apse can be seen from the staircase leading to the cathedral of Spoleto. Worth a visit!