Category Archives: Churches

The cult of Saint Anna was particularly widespread among Carbognano’s female population. Women entrusted themselves to her care during childbirth. The structure of this eighteenth century church consists of a single nave and roof trusses. Unfortunately, the church was looted in the 1970s. As a consequence, the pictures that can be seen in the interiors are in fact reproductions. Saint Anna, Saint Gioacchino and the Virgin Mary stand out among the characters pictured in the decorations.

The church was built in 1628 by Orazio Giustiniani – a member of the congregation founded by Saint Philip Neri. It is the first church in the world ever erected in honor of the Saint. Saint Philip developed a strong affection for Carbognano thanks to his friendship with Lavinia Farnese, Giulia Farnese’s granddaughter. The Church features several interesting pieces of art, including San Filippo e la Madonna della Vallicella, an ancient replica of a painting by Guido Reni.

As specified by the inscription above the gate, this church was completed in 1522 under the supervision of Giulia Farnese, who at the time was the governor of Carbognano. The interiors are decorated with a collection of very valuable frescoes that spans different styles, painters and historical periods. During the Renaissance, when an aristocratic family commissioned a major art project, it was custom to pay homage to the most prominent women of the family by portraying them dressed as the Virgin Mary. Hence, it is believed among the faces of the Madonna represented in the church may also be found that Giulia Farnese.

The work to erect this church began in 1780 as part of the celebrations in honor of Saint Peter the Apostle. The Church was eventually finished in the early nineteenth century. The interiors are divided into a large central nave and two aisles. Each aisle features three chapels decorated with valuable pieces of art. Behind the altar, visitors can admire a picture of Jesus, surrounded by the apostles, in the act of giving Saint Peter the Keys of Heaven.

This is one of Carbognano’s most ancient churches. According to some estimates, it dates back to the ninth century. The church features three interesting frescoes. The first one portrays the Virgin on the throne with the baby Jesus. The second one – located in the apse – depicts the Crucifixion, Saint Peter, and Saint Paul. Both were done in the mid-fifteenth century by Francesco d’Antonio da Viterbo, also known as “il Balletta” – an exponent of the artistic trend known as International Gothic. A third fresco, dating from the early-sixteenth century portrays Saint Eutizio and his “Miracle of the Three Spikes.”

This tiny church lies in the heart of Carbognano’s medieval town and is an example of a bailey church. It was built in the eleventh century – together with the Castle. It is interesting to observe that the church’s entrance is situated on the round wall – which is usually designated as the apse. The story goes that Giulia Farnese ordered such a peculiar arrangement in order to make it easier to reach the churc from the Castle.

The church of the Holy Family, managed by the Passionist Fathers of Carbognano, was built between 1921 and 1939, thanks to the local benefactors Sisto Caproli and Dionira Orlandi.

This ancient church is dedicated to Saint Donato – Arezzo’s second archbishop and patron saint – who became a martyr during the reign of the Roman emperor Julian the Apostate, in the fourth century. The story goes that it was built upon the ruins of a pagan temple dedicated to the Roman god Janus. The notion that the church was indeed built upon a pagan site is supported by the seventeenth century chronicles of Fioravante Martinelli. According to the most authoritative estimates, the interior’s decorations date back to the sixteenth century.

This is a quintessential bucolic parish church. It used to be a place of worship for hermits and wayfarers. Nowadays the church is part of the cemetery – which was erected in Carbognano following Napoleon’s 1804 Edict of Saint Cloud. Visitors can admire one of Carbognano’s most precious pieces of art – a fifteenth century picture of the Virgin with Child by Antonio del Massaro, also known as “Il Pastura.” Del Massaro was a young apprentice of Pinturicchio, and assisted the master in the works to decorate Alessandro Borgia’s private quarters at the Vatican. Also noteworthy is a picture of the Assumption of Mary – located on the back wall in the exteriors of the church.