Tarquinia. Church of Santa Maria in Castello

Construction of the church of Santa Maria in Castello began in 1121 and ended in 1207 in Tarquinia.

Che church was built on the base of the pre-existing early medieval chapel Santa Maria ad Rupes

Several architects contributed to the project.

The church was abandoned in 1567 and much later occupied by the French troops of Napoleon, who used it as a stable.

The floor is decorated by Cosmati family and the polygonal baptismal ‘immersion’ font has each side coated with a different kind of marble.

According to local tradition, these marbles come from the destroyed Roman city of Gravisca.

Beside the church stands the tower of Santa Maria in Castello which is the highest in the city.
 


Written by:
Benedicta Lee

Born in Rome from an Italian mother and American father, she works as a freelance communications manager and designer in the tourism sector, a career and interest which she is pursuing with a...

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