Sant'Antonio Abate, Baroque church building in Rieti, Italy
Sant'Antonio Abate is a Baroque church in Rieti with a central nave flanked by side chapels and covered by a barrel vault with lunettes that concludes in a semicircular apse. The structure was designed by the renowned architect Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola based on a commission from the Sacramento Company.
In July 1570, the Sacramento Company commissioned architect Jacopo Barozzi da Vignola to design a new church to replace a small chapel at the Sant'Antonio Abate hospital. This project was part of broader religious building efforts in Rieti during the Renaissance period.
The church maintains a connection to farming traditions through an annual horse parade that continues the practice of blessing animals on Saint Anthony's feast day. This procession shows how the community still honors the patron saint of livestock today.
The building has been closed to the public since 2003 due to structural damage sustained during the 1997 earthquake and ongoing restoration work. Visitors should note that access is not currently possible, though the exterior can be viewed from the surrounding area.
During restoration work on the main door in 2018, workers discovered a late 17th-century coin embedded within the structure. This find offers a rare glimpse into the construction history and craft practices of that era.
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