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Church of St. John the Baptist (Mother Church) in Avetrana

Via Chiesa, 1, 74020 Avetrana TA, Italia ★★★★☆ 215 views
Sharma Kapoor
Avetrana
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About Church of St. John the Baptist (Mother Church) in Avetrana

Church of St. John the Baptist (Mother Church) in Avetrana - Avetrana | Secret World Trip Planner

Among the small streets of the centre, turning your back on the large circular tower of the fortress complex, you will find the large facade of the Mother Church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist. The church overlooks a large square that allows you to appreciate the monument in all its majesty. The facade, with portals in typical eighteenth-century style, is embellished with 8 columns that seem to support the temple and four empty niches that in the past probably housed statues of saints. It has three naves and was built in different periods and with various modifications as is documented by an excavation behind the high altar where the remains of the foundation of an apse were found. The oldest phase is represented by the base of that part now used as a sacristy and small parish museum, which dates back to before 1468, after which the first plant was built, while the bell tower was built in 1565. The Matrix Church was completed in 1756 and is located at the highest point of the city, sixty-two meters above sea level. The entrance is to the north, in the current Latrona court. Worthy of note is the wooden choir while the part below the floor, entirely dug into the rock, is the cemetery, used until the thirties of the last century. The part that can be visited occupies almost the entire nave. It consists of four long corridors of which the last on the left has a deep room that, thanks to the clumsy intervention of some workers, has lost what could have provided more specific data regarding the exact destination of the corridors and the various types of burials. It is certainly known that the part behind the high altar houses the sepulchres of the priests and under the side aisles rest notables of the village, members of illustrious families of the place and various covens.

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Frequently Asked Questions

The Mother Church features a distinctive eighteenth-century style facade adorned with 8 supporting columns and four empty niches that historically housed statues of saints. The church has three naves and was constructed over multiple periods, with the completed structure finished in 1756, showcasing a blend of architectural influences from different eras.
The oldest section of the church dates back to before 1468, with the bell tower constructed in 1565, and the entire Matrix Church completed in 1756. Archaeological excavations behind the high altar have revealed foundation remains of earlier structures, documenting the church's evolution across several centuries.
The Mother Church is situated at the highest point of Avetrana city at sixty-two meters above sea level, overlooking a large square that allows full appreciation of its facade. The entrance is located to the north in the current Latrona court, easily found by turning your back on the circular fortress tower in the city center.
Yes, the underground cemetery carved entirely into the rock beneath the church floor is partially open to visitors and can be explored through four long corridors. This cemetery was used until the 1930s and contains sepulchres of priests behind the high altar, while notables from illustrious families rest under the side aisles.
The church features a wooden choir worthy of attention and houses a small parish museum located in the sacristy area, which occupies the oldest section of the building dating before 1468. Visitors can explore the three naves and the underground cemetery corridors, experiencing both the architectural beauty and historical significance of this important religious site.