Santa Maria in Castello, Carpi

Santa Maria in Castello is a Romanesque church in central Carpi featuring a stone facade and a tall bell tower positioned beside the main building. The structure defines the appearance of the plaza and displays typical features of medieval church architecture found in the region.

The church was founded in the mid-8th century and first appears in written records near the end of that same century. Over the medieval period, it underwent several modifications and expansions to achieve its present form.

The church displays frescoes from the 14th century in its side chapels, created by a painter from Ferrara whose work remains visible today. These paintings reflect the artistic richness that flourished in the region during medieval times.

The church sits on a central plaza in the heart of Carpi and is easily accessible on foot. It remains open for regular services and can typically be entered outside service times for a brief visit.

Inside, a Romanesque carved stone pulpit stands as a work from a renowned 12th-century sculptor's workshop. This rare piece represents one of the surviving examples of this type of liturgical furniture in the region.