Already present in 1343, it was remodeled several times until its total reconstruction in 1775 at the expense of the population. Recent restorations (1993) led to the discovery of important remains from Roman times, probably those of the villa of Gens Gabia
Parish Church of SS Maria Assunta and San Giovanni Battista
Position
Piazza degli Eroi
02044 Forano (RI)
Opening hours
Non definito
Contacts
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The Parish Church of SS Maria Assunta and San Giovanni Battista represents one of the most important points of interest in Gavignano.
Already present in 1343, it was remodeled several times until the total reconstruction in 1775 at the expense of the population. Recent restorations (1993) have led to the discovery of important Roman remains, probably those of the villa of the Gens Gabia, confirming what various authors had already hypothesized.
The exterior has a simple late-Baroque facade with a large window and a small tympanum above the portal, embellished, in turn, with the remains of Roman columns. In the rear right side stands the cuspidated bell tower.
The interior has a single room with a barrel vault and three chapels on each side. At the entrance stands the wooden choir supported by two ancient gray stone columns.
The first chapel on the left serves as a baptistery and retains a stone stoup supported by four marble columns. The background is adorned with a canvas depicting the Baptism of Jesus (18th century). Externally above the chapel is a canvas with the Madonna and Child among saints, among which it is possible to identify St. John the Baptist and King David.
The second chapel on the left is adorned with a Madonna del Rosario. It also houses a plaster Madonna (18th-19th century)
On the apse we read: IN HONOREM B. MARIAE V.IS ET IOANNIS B.AE PROTECTOR MCMXX, OR, “In honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and John the Baptist patron 1930”.
In the sacristy, during the restorations, a fragment of a fresco probably referable to the 15th-16th century emerged in which it is possible to recognize a Madonna and Child. On the floor, protected by a crystal plate, it is possible to admire the remains of what was once the nymphaeum of the Roman villa of the Gabi on which the church was built.
The second chapel on the right houses a painting depicting S. Filippo Neri kneeling at the feet of the Virgin and Child (18th century)
On the first chapel on the right, there is a painting that seems to face the one above the first chapel on the left; the Madonna and Child are here surrounded by numerous kneeling figures among which it is possible to identify San Gerolamo.
Bibliography: G. Trova, unpublished work on the Sabina