Reflections on My 40 Years in Umbria

La Madonna Bianca, completed in 1508, has been remodeled several times due damages from earthquakes. The longer side opens onto an arcade with seven arches supported by 15th century columns; the facade has a nartex that predates the 1500s with five fornix, the work of Lomabard stonecutters. On the front stands a bell tower of the same period as the arcade. Under the vaults of the nartex is a gothic style doorway (late 1400s) and to the side of this a shrine decorated with frescoes by one of the Sparapane. The interior has two naves divided by four columns and three arches supporting the roof. The presbytery is formed from two cross vaults and separated from a hall by a double staircase. On the right wall several frescoes by A. Sparapane from 1476 are visibile and there are others above the side door from a later date. In the right apse there is a stone shrine with a wooden tabernacle from 1511,on which is placed the statue of the Madonna Bianca dating back to 1488.

Romanesque figures and capitals, Gothic portals and bas reliefs and medieval vaulting decorate the austere structure

"An important building from before 1115 with the title of Pieve di S. Maria and dependent on S. Eutizio. In 1493 it was ceded to the monks of the “Campli” community, after which it took on the name of S. Salvatore. The ancient Pieve had a single nave on the left side of the present day church and was enlarged in the 14th century. This extension was still insufficient, so another temple on the right side was built with a second nave, communicant with the first, a second rose window and a second doorway, causing it to become the prototype for all the other churches of the area. An portico supported by a single column was erected against the facade. On the back of the church, on the right side, stands the bell tower from the 16th century topped with a bell gable. The interior has two naves divided into eight bays by five pillars supporting the arches of the ribbed cross vaults; the vaults are extended over the whole area, excepting the front of the left nave, which is trussed. This is the oldest part, and has a ogive arch that was frescoed in 1451. Past the arch there is a type of iconostasis, a dividing structure that was reinforced by wood scaffolding after the earthquake, and the front surface is formed by three arches supported by octagonal columns. The lower parts of the body of the church were frescoed in 1493 by Giovanni and Antonio Sparapane. The lower area has paintings from 1466 by Nicola da Siena, one of the Sparapane and Domenico da Leonessa. The back of the iconostasis also has paintings from the mid 1400s, the work of several artists, including G. Sparapane; the large lunette shows the Crowning of the Virgin by A. Sparapane. On the left wall, near the stairway that leads to the attic above the iconostasis, there are other fragments of scenes by Nicola da Siena from 1460, including a Ultima Cena (Last Supper); in the cross gables are vaults painted by A. Sparapane and the next bay has other paintings from 1429. In the area of the presbytery behind the altar a crucifix from 1380 was recovered. The right nave is completely bare, except for a 1505 frescoed niche by G. di Giovannofrio."

official information as found on a brochure

While both churches are off-limits for visits, locals tell us that there is not much to see inside. Nevertheless, we would like to find a "custode" to check for ourselves.

one of two asymmetrical rose windows

exquisite stone work

continuing on the panoramic road to Preci and Saint Eutizio

delicate rose window at Saint Eutizio

Please refer to the next blog entry for more on the Saint Eutizio Abbey