The Church of Sant’Egidio

THE HISTORY
The church, cited in 1142 when it was subject to the Viterban cathedral of San Lorenzo, in 1236 it was named parish. The apse was constructed from peperino volcanic rocks that fell off of the edge of the underlying stream of Urcionio, that formed a gap as a natural defense of the city. In 1469 it was licensed for sale because of the urgently needed repairs to the rooftop and the ceiling of the church. Later, in 1490, a building was sold by Niccolò Bussi to the church and the proceeds carried out restorations and the work that needed to be done on the church. The church was renovated thanks to the commitment of the Confraternita del SS. Crocifisso o di Santa Croce (initiated in 1553) who resided in Sant’Egidio. In 1583 the façade was redone, it was pulled back to increase space in front of the road. Badly hit by bombing in 1944, the church was closed for worship because it was unsafe. Only in 1970 was it decided that work on the restoration should begin, restoration was carried out several times and finally was completed in 1973. The interior was restored in 1979. It is equipped with a bell tower with a place for two bells in a longitudinal direction with an apse to the left side of the viewer from Via Marconi. The church today is used for exhibitions and cultural events. Only the two-tone windows that open in the apse preserve the original appearance.

THE EXTERIOR
The façade is completely made of volcanic peperino. Four pilasters characterized by a high base, divide the bottom part into three portions. In the middle stands the principal entrance portal, surmounted by a triangular pediment, meanwhile the sides open to two other smaller entrances, each surmounted by a shelf. Above, a relief can be seen with a cross flanked with two spirals and two Farnese emblems and a shrine. In the upper part of the façade is a triangular tympanum, at the bottom there is an inscription that says In Cruce Gloria nostra and an elegant window surmounted by a circular pediment, with the Farnese lilies and a garland of flowers and fruit carved on the lintel. The Farnese cardinal, in 1582, was the protector of the confraternity of Ss. Crocifisso that resided here. On the sides of the windows there are two scrolls, always in volcanic peperino, that to the left, have the inscription: “Sub tua Criste Iesu aura / laeti vivimus, a destra: Sperantes hilares surgere / ad aeternam gloriam.”

THE INTERIOR
The interior of the church is divided in half by a large arch, beyond there were wooded benches against the walls, that were sold after severe damage from the war, following the collapse of the roof and relentless abandonment of the church. Following, it is possible to see the tombstone of Giuseppe Lannuccelli. Next, there is a skull with an epigraph that reads: Px / Giuseppe Iannuccelli / lived A. LXXXVI M. MDCCCLXXI / near the statue of di San Stanislao /supreme paternal desire/ Carlo / with late filial/ deposed. After the steps leading to the presbytery, behind the right column, on the higher part of the wall, is an inscription about the construction of the chapel in 1299. In bottom of the center apse is a fresco depicting a landscape that is now well defined (made in the 18th century). On the alter, to the left there Madonna with Child appearing to Saint Egidio, (oil on canvas of the 17th century). Finally, with your back to the alter, there is a green organ located above the entrance door that attracts the attention of a visitor.

ESSENTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

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M. Galeotti; L’illustrissima Città di Viterbo, Edizioni Studio Pubblicitario Viterbese, Viterbo 2002, pp. 413-415.