Santa Maria Extra Moenia, church building in Antrodoco, Italy
Santa Maria Extra Moenia is a Romanesque church in Antrodoco featuring three naves that lead to a semicircular apse decorated with 15th-century frescoes. The adjoining bell tower displays mullioned windows and carved stone details that characterize the building's design.
The building developed from a 5th-century Christian structure constructed over a Roman temple dedicated to Diana. Major reconstruction work was completed in 1178, establishing the appearance that survives today.
The interior walls display religious frescoes from the 15th century depicting biblical scenes such as the Redeemer Blessing and the Marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria. These paintings tell Christian stories in a way that visitors can directly understand and connect with.
The church is located in Antrodoco along Via Cotilia near the Velino River. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes since access is by foot and the surrounding paths may be uneven.
The adjacent hexagonal Baptistery of San Giovanni functions as a solar calendar, marking the summer solstice with a precise ray of light at 5:30 PM. This phenomenon reveals how medieval builders integrated astronomy and architecture.
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