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The former Church of San Rocco, now used as a youth center, given the architectural characteristics, is attributable to the sixteenth century. But in no way detracts from the possible construction of the building on an earlier date.
Info: Parish of S. Maria Assunta. Tel. 0761 370787. Parish priest Don G. Pirri.
Parish of S. Maria Assunta in cielo Vitorchiano.
FORMER CHURCH OF SAN ROCCO
HISTORICAL NOTES AND DESCRIPTION
Along Via Borgo Cavour at number 21 is the former Church of San Rocco, now used as a youth center, almost completely unrecognizable were it not for the turret with a gable roof that rises beyond the building, with two round arches, where originally there were the bells. The sources concerning the monument in question are practically absent. The similarities with the nearby church of San Giovanni Battista, especially referring to the double staircase that gives access to the portal of the former church, can lead us to a date ascribable to the sixteenth century. But in no way detracts from the possible construction of the building on an earlier date. The façade is gabled on two levels of different heights, separated by a string course; shows remembrances of the pre-existing church, above all due to the presence on the left of a large pilaster and, in the center of the facade up to the extreme right, for the presence of a round arch with a tympanum, now walled up, cut by the string course that creates a lunette in which the second level window is inscribed.
The entrance is raised and is accessed via two flights of stairs converging on a landing. To the left of the entrance door is the peperino plaque with the current destination of the building engraved in large characters: CARDINAL EGIDIO VAGNOZZI YOUTH RETURN CENTER. On the door, with grooved jambs and architrave, is a rectangular window, while on the right is a window with a grate. On the left the building communicates with a small arch leading to an alley, while on the right is a staircase.
ESSENTIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY
Vitorchiano, il passato presente, edition edited by Fiorenzo Mascagna, historical research by Elide Vagnozzi, Stampa Arti Grafiche Artigiane 2005.
A special thanks to Dr. Andrea Presutti for scientific advice and archival photographic material provided on Vitorchiano:
– Facebook page of Andrea Presutti Archive photographic material provided on Vitorchiano.
– Vitorchiano com’era Facebook page for collecting old photos of the beautiful village of Vitorchiano, in the province of Viterbo. Images of the country, its inhabitants and its traditions.
