Sant' Emiliano (1856-93)


This was probably the site of the burial of St Emilianus in the 4th century.  The relics were probably taken to Spoleto after the Spoletans destroyed Trevi in 1214.  The earliest record of a church here dates to 1226: three small apses and part of its right wall survive as part of the present church. 

 


Another survival from the earlier church is a statue (13th century) of St Emiliano, which is contained in a niche above a closed portal in the east wall (to the right of the ancient apses in the illustration above).


The church was rebuilt on a larger scale from 1465.  In 1485, probably when the rebuilding was complete, Pope Paul II raised it to the status of a canonical college.  It was consecrated in 1522. 

The Roman architect Luca Carimini largely rebuilt it in the 19th century.  The campanile was rebuilt in 1926, following an earthquake.

Portal

The portal (15th century) contains a worn relief of St Emilianus between two lions, a reference to the fact that he survived exposure to lions in the events that led up to his martyrdom.  The coats of arms below belong to Marcello Petroni (dean of the canons) and Costantino Eroli (Bishop of Spoleto). 









 
 
Part of a Latin inscription was reused on the right.  It commemorates Titus Varrutius, son of Titus and came from a monument (presumably his grave) erected by Vibusia, daughter of Lucius, his wife of 42 years.  He was described as a Sabine and had held public office at Spoleto and Norcia.  (Only part of the inscription survives, but the full text was recorded before the stone was incorporated into the portal).









Interior


The neo-classical appearance of the interior is due to the 19th century re-modeling. 

Counter-facade

Martyrdom of Sant' Emiliano (17th century)

Six panels with scenes fro the martyrdom of St Emilianus can be seen in the choir above the main entrance.  They probably date to the period after 1660 when the cult was revived.



Right Wall

Original Right Apsidal Chapel

This chapel, which is now the 1st on the right, contains the relics of St Emilianus, which were rediscovered in the Duomo of Spoleto in 1660 and translated here in 1935.

Original Apse

This chapel, which is now the 1st on the right, contains the baptismal font (15th century).  An extract reproduced here from the baptismal records of the Duomo records that the future St Antonino Fantosati was baptised here in 1842.

Original Left Apsidal Chapel

   
 Virgin Annunciate
 God the Father
 St Emilianus


This chapel is walled in, but accessible by the door on the right in the adjacent Cappella della Trinità.  It contains frescoes (ca. 1510) that are attributed to Francesco Melanzio da Montefalco.

St Emilianus Enthroned [date ??]

This polychromed wooden statue is just before the crossing.  Until its replacement ca. 1753 (see below), it was taken in procession on the saint's feast day (27th January) during the Processione dell' Illuminata, a celebration that goes back to at least the 13th century. 

Left Wall

Altar of the Sacrament (1522)

 
 
The Confraternita del Sacramento commissioned this altar (the 2nd on the left) from Rocco di Tommaso da Vicenza, using a bequest from Virginia Procacci. 
  • The reliefs of angels (illustrated below)to the sides of the tabernacle are particularly fine.
  • The figures of the Virgin and St Joseph in the niches are by Mattia di Gaspare da Como. 


The altar was recomposed here after the rebuilding of the 19th century.





Processional statue of St Emilianus  (1753)

This gilded wooden statue of St Emilianus enthroned was carved in Foligno by Pietro Epifani.  It is only displayed for a few days around the 27th January, the day on which it is used for the Processione dell' Illuminata.






Return to the walk around Trevi.