The church of the Archangel Michael in Arpino was built over a pagan temple dedicated to Apollo and the nine Muses.
This has been deduced from the nine niches carved into the rocks near the altar and an inscription on a tombstone of 1700s.
The first church probably dates from the VIII century, although the first written documents are in the Abbey of Monte Cassino and relate to a donation of 1104.
In confirmation of its history, there is a bell dated ‘MC’ (1100).
Its importance is demonstrated by the fact that in 1400 the church was the residence of the Bishop of Sora.
Its present Baroque appearance is due to a restoration and reconstruction following the 1654 earthquake.
The church has a plan of a Latin cross and has three naves with side chapels. Inside, above the altar, there is the painting of 'The Archangel Michael victorious over Lucifer' by Cavalier d'Arpino.
The church contains an interesting Via Crucis with 14 stations carried by Cavalier d'Arpino and paintings by Francesco Curia, Dionysius Ludovisi and other Tuscan School.
The furniture is then completed by a splendid eighteenth-century organ and inlaid wood works of the great craftsman Michael Stolz as the pulpit and baptistery.
Michael Stolz worked extensively in Arpino and is buried in this church.
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