Chiesa di Santa Maria in Castello

Santa Maria in Castello rises on Tarquinia's western spur above the Marta valley. Its Romanesque architecture preserves the monumental scale of medieval Corneto, the town's former name.

Why it matters

Begun in 1121 and consecrated in the early thirteenth century, the church developed on the site of the earlier chapel of Santa Maria ad rupes. Its position within the fortified castle quarter connects religious architecture with the defensive history of the town.

What to notice

A nave and two aisles are divided by substantial supports with varied carved capitals in local nenfro stone. Surviving mosaic floor decoration, the ciborium and the ambo evoke the richness of the medieval interior. An octagonal baptismal font was designed for immersion. The church's stone exterior stands in close relation to Porta di Castello and the neighbouring round tower.

Context and history

The hilltop was occupied by a fortified palace and tower before the construction of the large church. Work extended across much of the twelfth century into the next, culminating in a solemn consecration. Later periods brought neglect and successive restorations. Despite these changes, the building remains a major expression of Tarquinia's Romanesque heritage and its connection with the surrounding valley.