Santa Maria Nuova church, Renaissance church in Fano, Italy.
Santa Maria Nuova is a Renaissance church in Fano featuring a facade decorated with white and green pilasters and a broad horizontal band. The interior is supported by Corinthian columns that frame the main nave and define the side aisles on either side.
Construction of the church extended across several decades, beginning in the late 13th century and advancing significantly in the 15th century with the involvement of notable builders. This lengthy building period shaped the architectural elements and allowed multiple design phases to coexist within one structure.
The church served as a gathering place for wealthy merchant families of the city, who displayed their influence through private chapels and commissioned artworks throughout the space. Walking inside, you notice how different sections bear the marks of individual family patronage and devotion.
The church welcomes visitors who can freely explore the interior with its main nave, side aisles, and various chapels throughout the space. Plan time to examine the decorative details at a comfortable pace without rushing through the different sections.
The interior features a trompe-l'oeil effect painted on the nave ceiling that creates an optical illusion of extended space toward the apse. This artistic trick gives visitors the impression that the interior spans farther than its actual dimensions.
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