Chiesa di San Filippo Neri

Cingoli's Church of San Filippo Neri combines a medieval facade and Romanesque portal with a Baroque interior created for the Filippini fathers. It stands on the site of the medieval pieve of Santa Maria, where Nicola da Castel Sant'Angelo, later known as St Nicholas of Tolentino, was ordained in 1267.

Why it matters

The building preserves evidence of two phases in Cingoli's religious history. The medieval pieve was a principal church in the town; after the new cathedral took its place, the Filippini took possession in 1664 and rebuilt the church from 1685 under architect Giovan Battista Contini. The new church was consecrated in 1694.

What to notice

The thirteenth-century facade and carved Romanesque portal survived the rebuilding. Inside, twisted columns support the high altar, and the church contains paintings by Calandrucci, Marini, Conca, Cignani and Fanelli. The octagonal sacristy has a decorated vault. Beneath the presbytery are medieval remains identified as the crypt or church of San Rocco and associated with the city's stonemasons' guild.

Context and history

The pieve of Santa Maria served medieval Cingoli before the new cathedral was built on the main square. The Filippini took possession in 1664 and commissioned Contini's rebuilding, completed with the church's consecration and opening in 1694 under the dedication to San Filippo Neri. The medieval facade and remains beneath the presbytery preserve traces of the earlier church.