San Matteo degli Armeni

(before 1273)

Armenian monks of the Order of St Basil fled from their own country when the Turks threatened it in the 13th century and settled in a number of Italian cities.  Some of them settled in Perugia, where they acquired this church and its adjoining buildings from the canons of the Duomo in 1273 . 

The church has been recently restored, and contains interesting 13th and 14th century frescoes, as well as interesting graffiti left by Armenian pilgrims.  Unfortunately it is closed and guarded by noisy dogs.

Frescoes (ca. 1273)

These frescoes, which are attributed to Maestro del Trittico Marzolini. include:

• the Ascension of Christ;

• the twelve Apostles;

• the Madonna and Child with St Basil; and

• figures of SS Matthew and Francis. 

The monks probably honoured St Francis because the Franciscans were prominent in evangelising Armenia at this time.  This is one of the earliest images of the saint with five stigmata in a non-Franciscan location.

Frescoes (mid-14th century)

These frescoes, which were attributed to the Maestro Ironico during recent restoration, depict:

• the Madonna enthroned with angels and saints (dated 1348); and

• St Leonard (the patron saint of prisoners) with kneeling supplicants in handcuffs.

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