Bagnoregio. Church of San Donato in Civita di Bagnoregio

In Bagnoregio, the original building of the church of San Donato dates from the seventh century and was founded on an earlier Roman temple.

The church was enlarged in 1511 by Bishop Ferdinando di Castiglia, designed by the architect Nicola Matteucci of Caprarola.

In this time, the presbytery and choir were built and the façade was rebuilt in Renaissance style.

Inside are the relics of Sant'Ildebrando, bishop of the city in the ninth century, a fresco of the school of Perugino and a precious fifteenth-century wooden crucifix of the school of Donatello.

Miraculous episodes are attributed to the crucifix by local worshipers and it is carried in procession on Easter Good Friday.

The church of San Donato was the bishop's seat until the earthquake of 1695 and then in 1699 the headquarters was moved to Bagnoregio.