Chiesa di San Pietro in Valle

San Pietro in Valle is one of Fano's major Baroque churches, with a brick exterior and a richly decorated interior. Built for the Oratorian congregation, it has six lateral chapels, a dome painted by Lauro Buonaguardia and Guido Reni's Annunciation in the Gabrielli Chapel.

Why it matters

The Oratorians established a congregation in Fano in 1598 under Girolamo Gabrielli. The present church was completed in 1610 and consecrated in 1617, while its decoration continued. Its combination of architecture, stucco and painting makes it a significant ensemble of Marche Baroque.

What to notice

The single nave leads to a dome above the crossing, with three chapels on each side. Pietro Solari's stucco work and Antonio Viviani's frescoes of the apostles' lives enrich the interior. Viviani's scenes include Quo vadis and Saint Paul's landing in Malta. Buonaguardia painted the dome in 1699–1700. The Gabrielli Chapel holds Reni's Annunciation; a bust of Saint Peter installed in 1619 is associated with the circle of Daniele da Volterra.

Context and history

The church's name refers to its low-lying position; interpretations of “in Valle” also connect it with the nearby Roman wall. Some of its original paintings were removed during the Napoleonic period. Reni's Christ Giving the Keys to Saint Peter is now in the Louvre, while works by Simone Cantarini and Guercino were taken to Montpellier; copies remain in the church. The pulpit and choir galleries, made by Giorgio Ferretti in 1710, are still in place. The adjacent former oratory, known as the Saletta Nolfi, has been used for exhibitions.