San Gregorio Maggiore, Spoleto, Romanesque basilica in Spoleto, Italy
San Gregorio Maggiore is a basilica in Spoleto defined by its three-nave layout, separated by columns with cubic capitals and semicircular arches. The interior structure leads toward an elevated presbytery with three apses that mark the liturgical focal point.
Construction of the basilica started in 1079 on the grounds of an early Christian cemetery, establishing this location as a sacred center. The building was formally consecrated in 1146 through a ceremony involving six bishops.
The Chapel of the Innocents displays frescoes from the 1500s showing scenes of Saint Abbondanza and a biblical narrative on its walls. These paintings reveal the artistic traditions that flourished within this sacred space.
The church provides access to the ancient Roman Ponte Sanguinario bridge spanning the Tessino stream through one of its exits. This proximity allows visitors to explore both the interior and nearby ancient structures in a single visit.
The bell tower incorporates stones from Roman and early medieval buildings, embedding architectural elements from multiple historical periods within its structure. This reuse of earlier materials shows how later generations integrated ancient remains into their own construction efforts.
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