Sant'Ansano, Spoleto, Neoclassical church and archaeological site in Spoleto, Italy
Sant'Ansano is a neoclassical church with archaeological remains in Spoleto featuring a single nave flanked by four large half-columns on the facade. A rectangular window positioned above the central entrance emphasizes the building's understated design.
The original structure arose next to a 6th-century tomb dedicated to Isaac, a Syrian monk, on the site. Architect Antonio Dotti redesigned it in the late 1700s into the neoclassical building that stands today.
The interior holds frescoes including a work by Giovanni di Pietro showing the Madonna and Child with two saints, reflecting the spiritual importance this place held for the community across centuries.
A narrow staircase descends into the underground crypt where early medieval capitals and restored 11th-century frescoes await examination. The descent requires caution as you explore the lower chambers.
The crypt reveals the site was originally a Roman temple that became buried underground as street levels rose over centuries. This layering shows how the city of Spoleto developed upon ancient foundations.
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