San Pietro (12th century)
This church stands on the lower slopes of Monteluco on the site of a necropolis that was in use from pre-Roman times until the early Christian era. The existence of an early Christian cemetery here is evidenced by a number of inscriptions (6th century) found on the site.
Earlier Church
Its early history is known from four Latin poems that were preserved as inscriptions inside. The originals have been lost but the poems are known from transcriptions (9th or 10th century) from the Abbey of Lorsch, which are now in the Vatican Archives.
Three of the poems were written by Bishop Achilles, who was documented in 419:
- The first records that he built a church here that was dedicated to St Peter.
- The second expounds the doctrine of the primacy of St Peter among the Apostles.
- The third records that a relic of the chains that had bound St Peter in Rome was venerated in Spoleto. It is usually assumed that Achilles acquired it in Rome and translated it to San Pietro.
The fourth poem, which was written after Achilles' death, again records the fact that, among other achievements, he built San Pietro.
San Pietro seems to have been used for the burial of Bishop Achilles and his successors.
An inscription that was found under the pavement of the apse in 1650 (but subsequently lost) belonged to Bishop Amasius, who became bishop in 476 and died , aged 85, in 489 [CIL XI 4972].
Two sarcophagi that were found at the same time were re-discovered in 1952 and are now under the high altar (see below).
- The preface to the legend (ca. 980) of St John of Spoleto by “Giovanni Cassinese” referred to the sarcophagus of Bishop Pietro (probably 6th century) in the church.
There is no architectural evidence for the existence of this earlier church, except for an architrave that seems to have formed part of it portico. It contains an inscription (5th century) that refers to a construction project that was undertaken with the help of God. It was later embedded in the wall of the adjacent church of San Silvestro (see Walk II) and is now in Room 2 of the Museo del Ducato di Spoleto.
Present Church
A college of canons existed at San Pietro by 1128. They were [presumably responsible for the present church, which seems to have been rebuilt in the 12th or early 13th century. The Ghibelline faction in Spoleto burned it down in 1329, although its facade survived. The work of restoration was protracted. In 1393, Pope Boniface IX offered indulgences for the reconstruction, but work was still in progress in 1404.
Exterior
The church has a nave and lower side aisles, with an octagonal dome over the crossing.
[Apse ?]
The most interesting feature of the exterior of the church is the magnificent facade (see below). The opening in the wall to the right of it leads to the Canonica.
Façade
The Romanesque façade is divided into three horizontal orders under a typanum:
In the top order, reliefs on each side depict a censing angel with a calf standing sideways below. The empty space between these reliefs was probably intended to house a mosaic.
The middle order contains the remains of five rose windows. The central one was in a square panel, with (surviving) symbols of the Evangelists at the corners.
The bottom order contains the central portal and two side doors.
The carving around the central portal seems to be later than the rest.
- The lintel and jambs are carved with acanthus scrolls.
- The seven panels to the sides of the jambs contain elaborate arcades.
Each of the reliefs at the top depicts a peacock (the symbol of eternal life) pecking grapes.
Each of the reliefs at the bottom depicts a man driving a yoke of oxen, while his dog jumps up in front.
- Five panels to the sides of these contain a series of interesting reliefs:
Two reliefs at the top on the right depict Christ washing of Peter's feet and the calling of Peter and Andrew on the Sea of Galilee.
Two reliefs at the top on the left depict the contrasting posthumous fates of a righteous man and of a sinner.
The relief over the left portal depicts St Michael slaying a dragon.
The relied over the right portal depicts a bishop, perhaps Bishop Achilles.
Interior
The interior was re-modeled in 1699.
Font (1487)
The font, which stands by the side door, is the documented work of "Rosso da Firenze", who is thought to be Matteo Rosso Balsimelli da Settignano (who worked on the pavement of the Duomo at about this time).
Water stoups (15th century)
These stand by the first pilasters.
Annunciation with saints (15th century)
This triptych in the left transept, which is attributed to Bartolomeo da Miranda, depicts the Annunciation with SS Peter and [which saint?].
Madonna and Child with saints (14th century)
This marble relief of the Madonna and Child with [which saints ?] is on the 3rd altar on the left.
Return to Walk III.