Church of Santa Maria Assunta, Romanesque church in Bominaco, Italy.
The Church of Santa Maria Assunta is a Romanesque church in Caporciano featuring three naves supported by twelve columns made from local materials beneath rounded stone arches. The interior feels open and filled with light, with decorative elements from different periods built into smooth ashlar stone walls.
The church was founded in 1233, though earlier structures existed on the site from the 8th century when it became the burial place of Saint Pellegrino. The location remained in continuous use as a religious center throughout the centuries that followed.
The central nave houses an ornate ambo from 1180, created by Abbot Giovanni and reflecting the skill of medieval Italian stone carvers. This piece shows how the church became a center where local craftspeople could demonstrate their religious devotion through their work.
The site is accessible via the provincial road to Caporciano and becomes visible when entering the Bominaco settlement. Getting inside is straightforward, and the small scale makes it easy to view all the features without spending much time navigating.
Single-opening windows called monofora break through the smooth walls and create a subtle balance between solid stone and incoming light. This simple but effective design choice was typical of Romanesque architecture in this region.
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