Chiesa di San Giovenale, Romanesque church in Orvieto, Italy
The Chiesa di San Giovenale stands at the edge of a cliff in Orvieto's medieval district with a square apse and lateral entrance portal. The interior contains three naves connected by a central staircase that provides access to different architectural levels and sections.
The church was built in 1004 upon the remains of an Etruscan temple dedicated to the god Tinia. It then served as the primary cathedral of Orvieto for roughly 3 centuries.
The interior walls display medieval frescoes from the Orvieto school, with the Madonna del Soccorso painting discovered behind a silver screen during the 20th century. These works reflect the artistic tradition that shaped the church over the centuries.
The location offers views across the Paglia valley while requiring navigation through different levels to explore all areas fully. Visitors should prepare for uneven floors and steep staircases.
During the 17th century plague, interior walls were coated with lime, which damaged original frescoes but inadvertently preserved evidence of multiple construction phases. These layers remain visible to visitors today.
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