Chiesa di Santa Maria di Pietrarossa

Santa Maria di Pietrarossa stands on the plain below Trevi, in an area rich in archaeological remains. Its Romanesque plan, votive paintings and namesake red stone connect architecture with a long history of local devotion.

Why it matters

The church occupies a landscape associated with ancient Trebiae and the Clitunno. Excavations in the surrounding area have revealed Roman remains interpreted as part of a river port, as well as a later burial ground.

What to notice

Three aisles and an external portico preserve the character of the medieval church. A reddish stone with a central hole is set into a nave pier. Tradition credited it with powers connected with fertility. Votive frescoes, many depicting the Madonna, record repeated acts of devotion. Paintings are associated with Bartolomeo da Miranda and other local masters.

Context and history

The church developed near a well associated with Saint John, a focus of popular religious customs and fairs. Later alterations changed the building while leaving its Romanesque arrangement recognisable. Archaeological discoveries from railway works onwards, followed by systematic excavations, revealed earlier occupation beneath and around this religious landscape.