San Salvatore di Montecorona, Romanesque basilica in Umbertide, Italy
San Salvatore di Montecorona is a Romanesque basilica located in the Tevere Valley at the foot of Mount Corona, featuring five naves and an octagonal bell tower. The structure stands above a significant underground crypt supported by columns from Roman and early medieval periods.
Saint Romuald founded this monastery in 1008 as a spiritual center in the mountain region. By the late 13th century, the abbey had greatly expanded its influence, controlling around 21 churches across the surrounding territory.
The upper church displays frescoes painted by Umbrian artists in the 14th century alongside an 8th-century ciborium decorated with plant designs and peacock figures. These works reveal how religious devotion and artistic craftsmanship were woven together in this region.
The monastery sits about four kilometers from Umbertide's town center and combines its role as a parish church with agricultural operations. The countryside setting means you should allow time to explore the different sections of the grounds.
The crypt beneath the church, dedicated to Madonna delle Grazie, combines columns from different historical periods into an unexpected architectural blend. Each column carries its own characteristics and supports the vaults, showing how builders reused stone from earlier structures.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
