Ruderi Chiesa romanica di Santa Maria in Areglio
Museum | Vercelli | Piemonte | Italy
The ruins of the Romanesque church of Santa Maria in Areglio, also known as "Gesiassa", are located in the hamlet of Areglio of Borgo d'Ale in the province of Vercelli, Piedmont, Italy. This church was founded between 1025 and 1050 and was originally a three-aisled basilica without a bell tower.
Architectural features:
Layout: The church had a three-aisled layout with a central nave and two side aisles separated by arcades.
Building materials: The construction was mainly made of river pebbles with a diameter of about 10-15 cm, arranged in some areas in a herringbone pattern. Bricks were only used in the area of the apse arch.
Remaining structures: Parts of the facade, the separating wall between the central and right aisles, and remains of the apse arch of the central apse are still preserved from the original structure. In the apse area, fragmentary fresco remnants of a Madonna can be seen, stylistically resembling the frescoes of San Michele in Clivolo and dating back to the late 11th century.
Significance and visit:
The ruins of the church of Santa Maria in Areglio are an important testimony of Romanesque architecture in Piedmont and offer insight into the religious and cultural history of the region. Visiting the ruins allows experiencing the structure and architectural style of Romanesque churches and admiring the historical fresco remnants.
The ruins are located at the foot of Bric Mezzacosta and can be reached via an unpaved road leading from Borgo d'Ale along SP 80 towards Areglio. After about 3.7 km, a sign indicates the ruins, and from there a 200-meter field path leads to the remains of the church.
