San Martino (15th century)


This was the site of the ancient San Martino della Pieve, the original parish church of Trevi, which was first documented in 1235.  Its goods passed to Sant’ Emiliano in 1430.

Brother Agostino, an Observant Franciscan from Perugia, preached in Trevi in 1469 to such good effect that the Commune decided to invite his order to establish a community in the city.  Tommaso Valenti ceded this site to them in 1479. 

Fr Bernardino da Feltre stayed here in 1487, when his preaching in Trevi against corruption and social discord led to the reformation of the civic statutes.

Exterior



Cesare Minerva built the Cappella di San Girolamo in the square in front of the church (on the left) in 1512.  It was closed to the public and incorporated into the convent in 1723 but reopened in 1837.

The portico of the church and the facade above were built in the 18th century.

Madonna and Child with angels (16th century)

This fresco, which is signed by Tiberio d' Assisi, is in the lunette above the entrance.  Theinscription also records that it was commissioned by " Ioannes Baptista Mag... de Trevio".


[Both the church and the Cappella di San Girolamo were closed for restoration during my visit in January, 2008.]

Interior of the Church

The interior was re-modeled in the late 17th century.

Frescoes (1488)

Two frescoes by Pierantonio Mezzastris, which were financed by Natimbene Valentini, are now in the presbytery:

  • The Madonna and Child with SS Francis and Antony of Padua came from the wall of a chapel dedicated to St Sebastian; and
  • St Martin and the beggar came from a chapel dedicated to St Martin.
Natimbene Valentini was a member of the town council and also the leading administrator of the convent of San Martino.  He was among the "boni viri" (good and true men) selected at the behest of Bernardino da Feltre to reform the civic life of Trevi.

Immaculate Conception (1522)

Girolamo Fabri commissioned this altarpiece, which is now on the high altar, from Ascensidonio Spacca, il Fantino.  It was originally in the 1st chapel on the right.

Cappella di San Girolamo 

Assumption of the Virgin (1512)

This fine fresco by Giovanni di Pietro, Lo Spagna is in a lunette on the left.  Four saints witness the Assumption:

  • SS Jerome (with his lion) and John the Baptist on the left; and
  • SS Francis and Antony of Padua (both of whom, unusually, wear white habits) on the right.

The scene is set in a landscape outside Trevi, with Foligno in the distance.

St Emilianus (16th century)

This fresco of St Emilianus and a kneeling patron by Tiberio d' Assisi is on the back wall.

Return to Detour II.