San Marco dei Sabariani, Benevento, 17th century church in Benevento, Italy
San Marco dei Sabariani is a 17th-century church in the historical center of Benevento featuring a crypt with medieval frescoes. The building displays baroque architectural elements with underground spaces that house artistic works from earlier centuries.
The church was founded in 1614 under the patronage of the Sabariani family and operated until its closure following the devastating 1688 earthquake. This natural disaster damaged many structures in the city and led to the building's long-term shutdown.
The crypt holds rare frescoes from the Lombard period, created in the 8th or 9th century and discovered during electrical works in 2007. These wall paintings reflect the artistic traditions of the Beneventan school and show how medieval craftsmen decorated sacred spaces.
The building has remained closed to the public since 1980, except during special cultural events such as art exhibitions. Visitors should check for current events in advance, as regular access is not available.
In 2017, the deconsecrated building hosted MATERIALIA, an exhibition where eleven international female artists presented contemporary works. This project demonstrated how historical spaces can embrace new forms of artistic expression.
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