The ancient Church of Santa Maria di Cartignano, near Bussi sul Tirino (PE), dates to 11th century and once encompassed a Benedictine monastery of which few traces survive today. The numerous earthquakes that have shaken Abruzzo brought its roof down completely. Today all that remains are a simple façade, with a small portal, a flower window and a gabled bell tower, rebuilt using a process of anastylosis after the original’s destruction, a frescoed apse and part of the perimeter walls. The church was rediscovered in the second half of the 1900s and entirely restored, allowing access to the public. Despite being a ruin, the church of Santa Maria di Cartignano has much charm: its lack of a roof and perhaps its position rising above the state road give the site a touch of magic which completely transfixes the gaze.
Film Commission d'Abruzzo
Centro Regionale Beni Culturali - Sulmona
Phone: + 39 0864 576303
Email: crbc@regione.abruzzo.it
