San Michele Arcangelo Church

Marsico Nuovo, Italy

San Michele Arcangelo is a Roman Catholic church located on Largo San Gianuario, in front of the more imposing church of San Gianuario in the town of Marsico Nuovo.

The popularity of churches dedicated to the warrior angel was spread by the Lombards, and this and some documents attest to this church existing centuries before 1131, perhaps in the time of the Duchy of Benevento. The church at the site has undergone many reconstructions over the centuries. Many are due to damage by earthquakes, including one in 1700 cited by a plaque in the belltower.

The present facade was likely the original apse. The main portal in gothic-style dates to the 13th century or earlier, and is attributed to the Master Melchiorre da Montalbano.

The interior has a medieval stone baptismal font and an 18th-century painting on wood of the Archangel. The apse has remains of medieval frescoes showing Byzantine influence.

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Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org

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Emiddio Michele Gianuario Votta (2 years ago)
Built around the year 1000 in the Lombard age, the Church dedicated to the Archangel Michael in Civita in Marsico Nuovo is a sculptural and pictorial art heritage
Sergio S. (5 years ago)
There are no documents proving the exact year of its foundation, but it is certainly among the oldest churches in the city. The cult of the Archangel Michael was spread by the Lombards after the victory over the Saracens in 663 AD. It is probable, therefore, that the first Longobard counts wanted its foundation (Anibrando was the first to rule the county of Marsico around the middle of the 8th century). Manuscript reports attest that San Michele functioned as a cathedral before 1131, the year of the erection of the new temple dedicated to San Giorgio. Continuous restorations due to the frequent earthquakes (that of 1700 is attested by the plaque on the bell tower), have profoundly changed the original structure of the church
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