Abbazia di San Pietro (13th Century)

The abbey, which was first documented in 1029, was probably established early in the 10th century on this site outside the Roman walls.  It stood by the road that led from Assisi to the Ponte Vittorino, the site of the martyrdom of St Victorinus. 

The abbey preserves the so-called “well of the two martyrs” , which refers to two companions of St Victorinus who were beaten and then thrown into a well.  A third companion was beheaded nearby, and it is likely that the Benedictines who founded San Pietro believed that all three were buried in the vicinity.  The relics of St Victorinus himself were preserved in a church on the site of his martyrdom until they were translated to San Pietro soon after its foundation. 

The abbey acquired extensive properties in and around Assisi, and played an important part in the political life of the city.  It seem to have joined the Cluniac reform in the middle of the 12th century. 

The first church was destroyed by fire towards the end of the 12th century.  Pope Innocent IV consecrated its successor in 1253 .   According to the 17th century historian, Ludovico Jacobilli, the abbey transferred to the Cistercian Order soon after.  The Cistercians were evicted in 1577 but a new Benedictine community moved here in 1613, when the abbey was attached to Monte Cassino. 

The Facade

The inscription that runs across the fine Romanesque facade, records that the upper part was built in 1268 , in the time of the Abbot Rustico.  Its tympanum was removed in the 19th century after it had been damaged in an earthquake.  The two lateral rose windows, which are probably original, are only useful for decoration, since side aisles behind them are lower than the façade.

The Interior

Rectangular pillars separate the nave from the two barrel-vaulted aisles.  Steps lead up to the presbytery, which is built over a crypt that is accessed from the adjacent museum (see below).  The most interesting feature of the interior is the magnificent dome above the presbytery, with its roof of 31 concentric stone rings.

Two chapels flank and communicate with the presbytery in the manner of Byzantine churches: that on the left (the prothesis) was used for receiving and blessing offerings before the Mass; and that on the right (the diaconicon) was used for the robbing of the priest and other officiants.  This second chapel was subsequently rebuilt as the present sacristy.  The Cappella del SS Sacramento in the left transept dates to the 14th century.

The interior of the church was decorated in the Baroque style in the 17th century, probably at about the time that Bishop Malatesta Baglioni (1641-8) arranged for the translation of the relics of St Victorinus to “a more worthy grave” on a side altar.  The sarcophagus was opened at this time and found to contain two wooden chests, one with the bones of the saint and another containing other bones and linen soaked in blood.  The church was restored to something like its original simplicity in 1954, and the relics were put into a Roman sarcophagus and translated once more to the high altar.

Two funerary monuments (14th century) to members of the Soldani family are on the counter-façade.  The one on the [left ???] is that of Jolo Soldani and is dated 1337.  Another four broadly contemporary monuments are in the presbytery.

Frescoes

The ruined frescoes (mid 13th century) in the prothesis depict [which saints ???].  [Hunting scenes ???]

The frescoes (mid 14th century) in the Cappella del Sacramento (in the left transept) are attributed to Pace di Bartolo.  They depict: the Annunciation (to the left on the back wall); the Madonna and Child (to the right on the back wall); and St Victorinus (on the right wall).

Museo dell' Abbazia di San Pietro

This museum has recently been established in the building (once part of the monastery) to the right of the facade.  It hosts exhibitions of contemporary art.

The “well of the two martyrs” mentioned above is in the first room, on the right.

The crypt of San Pietro is reached from the far end, on the left.

A small collection of artefacts from San Pietro that has been arranged at the far end on the right includes the following important altarpiece: 

This altarpice by Matteo da Gualdo came from the high altar.  The inscription  records the names of the artist and the donor (Abbot Bartolomeo).  This work was stolen while it was on exhibition in Perugia in 1907 and was recovered in 1912.

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