The history of the church of Santa Vittoria in Matenano is connected with that of the monastery of St. Ippolito and St. Giovanni in Silva (760), a dependency of the abbey of Farfa. During the 10th century the abbot Peter from this abbey found refuge here and built a castle on the Matenano mount, where on 20th June the abbot Ratfredo moved the corpse of Holy Victoria dalla Sabina and named after her a basilica- sanctuary for 10-12 monks and turned it into the vicarious abbey of Farfa.
The imposing façade in neoclassical style was built between 1783-1793. At the right side is the massive bell tower.
The church was opened to the cult in 1789 and in 1943 it became a sanctuary.
It’s a Greek cross shaped plan and architecturally it’s a harmonious classical design. The 16 statues, the high reliefs near the cupola , the stuccoes at the side- alters are by Domenico Fontana. Among the works of art, worth mentioning is the Preaching of John the Baptist near the Jordan by Sebastiano Ghezzi from Comunanza (1590-1650), a follower of Guercino. Two flights lead to the Crypt of Holy Victoria, where in a sarcophagus made of marble and dating back to the 15th century was laid the corpse of the Holy Martyr. It’s a nice work of art.
To see: MOLINO DI PONTE MAGLIO DI SANTA VITTORIA IN MATENANO VINCENZO RASTELLI
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