S. Maria di Ponte

[ 2 pages, 11 photos ]

The exterior of this 12c abbey church — some put it just over the new century in 1201 — is one of the gems of Umbria. When you've looked at the front, you should look at the back, too.

[ 5 pages, 18 photos ]

Having seen the outside of this church, we might be tempted to pack up and leave (I watched one couple do exactly that, and still find it disturbing — see my diary); now most of the time that's a mistake, but here it would be a mistake in spades! The interior of S. Maria, in addition to being quite beautiful, has at least three very unusual artworks: in many years of visiting medieval churches, two of them I've never seen anything like anywhere else. Plus all the 'usual' frescoes of course.