Chiesa di San Martino

San Martino is considered probably the oldest church in Tarquinia. Its Romanesque structure combines masonry patterns and architectural details associated with different artistic traditions.

Why it matters

The church's fabric records successive periods of construction and decoration. Its age is described cautiously in municipal accounts, while the surviving elements show how Romanesque architecture in Tarquinia absorbed influences from beyond the town.

What to notice

The facade has two-tone masonry banding and a series of small blind arches. The elongated profile of the main arch contrasts with the rounded arcading. Inside, paired pillars divide the space into three naves, and a fragmentary fifteenth-century fresco depicts Saint Anne with the Virgin and Child.

Context and history

San Martino belongs to the historic hilltop settlement of Tarquinia. Its early history is not securely documented, so a precise foundation date cannot be assigned. The surviving Romanesque structure and later fresco reflect the church's development over time.