Carlo Levi called it “the Sistine Chapel of majolica” in 1963. He was talking about San Donato, a small country church near the borgo of Castelli (TE) which is famous for its artistic ceramic production. Originally established as a “cona” (small country church) and probably dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Church had a small porch area to shelter the shepherds moving through. Between 1477 and 1547, a Benedictine monk of the Orsini family, the long-established lords of these lands, supervised its expansion and decoration, the latter being entrusted to the Pompei family of ceramists who created the majolica vault. When further expansion was decided upon in 1616, the previous ceramics were insufficient to cover the new ceiling and so were used to pave the area before the altar. The local master ceramists created a new vault of majolica bricks of about 1,000 tiles. Some of them have been lost over time while others are on display at the Museum of Ceramics. The extraordinary ceiling spellbinds the visitor, in compelling contemplation and admiration of an unusual Renaissance story, unfolding in about 800 majolica bricks, decorated with contemporary characters, landscapes, animals, flowers, astrological and geometric symbols. This artistic work is absolutely unique in Italy.
Film Commission d'Abruzzo
Centro Regionale Beni Culturali - Sulmona
Phone: + 39 0864 576303
Email: crbc@regione.abruzzo.it
