The Church of San Giovanni Battista (“St. John the Baptist”) in Celano was constructed between the 13th and the 15th century. The interior is decorated with frescoes by Andrea de Lito and others.
San Giovanni Battista Church Celano
Useful information
Address: Largo Beato Tommaso, 67043 Celano. Phone: +39 0863 791346. Opening times: During religious ser ices. Ticket price: Free. (Note that prices and times may be subject to change.)
History and description
Although the construction of San Giovanni Battista Church had already started in the 13th century, it was only completed in the 15th century by architects from L’Aquila.
The facade is characterized by square blocks of local stone and multiple blind arches with a small cross where they meet.
A ledge separates the Romanesque portal from the rose window. Both are decorated with cupids and plant motifs. The relief in the center of the rose window depicts Christ.
The fresco in the lunette depicts the “Madonna and Child between the Apostle John and Pope Boniface IV”. This pope was from the area.
The door is divided into square areas. The upper two depict John the Baptist and John the Apostle, while the central planes show the coats of arms of the Piccolomini family and of the Aragonese kings.
The three naves are separated by octagonal pillars. The pointed arches between the pillars date from the 13th century. The vault was restored after the 1915 earthquake.
What to see
The right nave features 14th-century frescoes created by representatives of the Sienese school. Andrea de Lito painted the “Madonna with Child”.
The wooden choir dates from the 18th century.
The gilded baptismal font was made in the 16th century.
The main altar holds the urns of multiple saints and martyrs.
The formellas depicting the Via Crucis were made between 1997 and 1998 by the sculptor Novello Finotti.