Santa Maria di Pistia, Pre-Romanesque church in Serravalle di Chienti, Italy
Santa Maria di Pistia is a pre-Romanesque church in Serravalle di Chienti with a rectangular layout, single nave, and elevated presbytery. The roof is supported by wooden trusses, and beneath the building extends an underground crypt featuring three apsidal naves divided by columns with geometrically decorated capitals.
The building was constructed in the 11th century atop the remains of a 4th-century Christian structure and incorporated materials from an ancient Roman temple. This layering of centuries shows how the church developed over time at this important location.
The church acts as a boundary sanctuary between Umbria and Marche, with its main structure in Serravalle di Chienti and its forecourt in Foligno. This location gives the place special meaning as a meeting point between two different regions.
Visitors should know that an underground crypt lies directly beneath the church floor and is worth exploring. Access conditions can vary depending on the season, so it helps to check the current situation before your visit.
The semicircular apse was reconstructed using an iron and glass framework that integrates modern materials into the historical structure. This unusual approach visibly blends old masonry with contemporary construction techniques.
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