SHARRYLAND
Church of San Donato in Castelli: "the Sistine of Majolica."
A unique jewel in the panorama of Italian ceramic heritage
Where is
What is it and where is the church of San Donato
Just over a kilometer from the village of Castelli, in the hills of Abruzzo, stands the small country church of San Donato, a unique jewel in Italy's ceramic heritage. This small shrine dedicated to Our Lady offered shelter to passing shepherds with its modest portico. But over the centuries, its history became intertwined with the art, devotion and craftsmanship of local potters.
A bit of history
Between 1477 and 1547, a Benedictine monk who was a member of the noble Orsini family was responsible for enlarging the church and entrusted the Pompei family, celebrated ceramists, with the creation of an extraordinary majolica vault. In 1616, when it was decided to further enlarge the building, the original majolica tiles were no longer enough: they were removed and reused to pave the area in front of the altar and then, in the last century, they were recovered and transferred to the Museum of Ceramics in Castelli, where today they continue to tell their story to anyone who wants to hear it. Castelli's master potters, animated by devotion and pride in their art, created a new, even grander vault. The result was spectacular: an expanse of more than 800 majolica tiles that tell the story of an entire era.
Not to be missed: the majolica ceiling tiles.
Looking up, visitors are captivated by the beauty of scenes depicting characters, animals, flowers, landscapes, astronomical and geometric symbols, narrated with vivid colors and a Renaissance sensibility. This ceiling, referred to by Carlo Levi as "the Sistine of Majolica," is a celebration of castle craftsmanship and collective faith.
Trivia
The majolica tiles bear engraved dates and words that testify to the love and dedication of the Castelli community. A Latin inscription recalls, "The people of the land of Castelli made this ceiling in honor of God and at the same time in perpetual memory of the Blessed Virgin Mary." It was a work of devotion, but also a symbol of theexcellence achieved by the local potters, who gathered in confraternity to leave a tangible testimony of their art to posterity.
San Donato is not just a church, but a place where time, faith and art come together in a vibrant narrative, capable of leaving visitors with their noses in the air, lost in a mosaic of colors and meanings that defy the centuries.
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Enter the Map of Italy's Undiscovered Wonders and find treasures where you least expect it... Inspire, Recommend, Share...
