The Church of San Martino, built in the early 13th century together with the adjacent convent, is one of the most significant places of worship in Proceno. Dedicated to Saint Martin the Bishop, protector of the Land of Proceno, it stands out for its Gothic style and deep connection with the religious and cultural life of the community. The building has a Latin cross layout, with a single nave, a raised presbytery and a square apse. The elegant bell gable and gabled façade, adorned with a large travertine portal with a pointed arch and circular rose window, reflect the simplicity and beauty of medieval architecture. Initially officiated by the Benedictines, in 1258 it was transferred to the Franciscan Friars Minor, becoming known locally as the “Church of the Friars”. It underwent expansions until the Napoleonic suppressions and the convent’s closure under Pope Pius VII. Abandoned and partially collapsed, it was restored between 1960 and 1970, recovering the sobriety of the original structure. Built with square tuff blocks, it features a cross-vault in the choir area and wooden truss roofing in the rest of the nave. Three pointed arches lead to the transept’s lateral spaces and the sacristy.
Frescoes, works and historical testimonies
There are numerous pictorial and architectural elements of note:
Coat of arms of the Sforza family (1590) in the left transept;
Madonna with Child (15th century) and Saint Bernardino of Siena (15th century);
Franciscan miracle (14th century) and Madonna della Misericordia (16th century);
Madonna and Child on the Throne (14th century), attributed to the Giotto school, with Saint John the Evangelist and Mary Magdalene;
St. Ambrose stops Theodosius (1590), St. John the Baptist (14th century);
Crucifixion with the Madonna and Mary Magdalene, with a carved wooden Christ (18th century).
On the right counter-façade there is a fresco dedicated to San Martino (16th century). Among the tombstones, the one of Zucconio Guerrieri stands out, captain of the militia of Paolo I Sforza, protagonist of the battle of Lepanto (1571).
The disappeared convent and historical memory
Of the ancient convent of San Martino today only a ruin remains, visible next to the facade. Its demolition dates back to the period following the closure of the complex.
A place of worship and privilege
In 1580, Pope Clement XIII granted plenary indulgence to those who crossed the threshold of the church on January 1st of each year. A sign of the centrality of this building in the religious life of Proceno, where many noble families aspired to be buried.
Today, the Church of San Martino is a place that combines spirituality, art and local identity , witness to centuries of history still visible in its stones and frescoes.
Where
Corso Regina Margherita, 21, 01020 Proceno VT, Italia
