San Pietro in Valle, Fano

San Pietro in Valle, known locally as Chiesa di San Pietro in Valle, is a magnificent example of Baroque architecture nestled in the heart of Fano, Italy. This historic church, with its storied past and splendid interiors, stands as a testament to the rich cultural and religious heritage of the region.

The History of San Pietro in Valle

The origins of San Pietro in Valle date back to an ancient church established in 778 AD. The name in Valle has intrigued historians, with two prevailing theories regarding its origin. One suggests it refers to the church's location in a lower part of the city, characterized by a natural depression in the ground. The other theory posits that it derives from the Latin vallum, meaning wall, indicating the church's proximity to the remnants of Roman walls.

The current structure was commissioned in 1609 by the Congregation of the Oratorian Fathers, founded by Girolamo Gabrielli in 1598, inspired by the teachings of Saint Philip Neri. As the original church was too small to accommodate the activities of the Oratorians, a new, larger church was constructed, with significant financial support from noble families of Fano, including the Montevecchio, Marcolini, Petrucci, Alavolini, Uffreducci, and Ubaldini families. The construction began in 1610 under the direction of architect Giovanni Battista Cavagna, who unfortunately did not live to see its completion. Subsequent architects, including Giovanni Maria Pazzaglia, Giovanni Branca, and Girolamo Caccia, continued the work, leading to the church's consecration in 1617, even though it was not yet fully finished.

Architectural Marvels

San Pietro in Valle is distinguished by its Latin cross plan, featuring a single nave with a barrel vault. The interior walls are adorned with tall, strigilated Ionic pilasters with festooned capitals, dividing the space into six recessed side chapels and an expansive transept. The transept is crowned by a sumptuous dome with a luminous, high drum, adding to the church's grandeur.

The exterior of San Pietro in Valle presents a stark contrast to its ornate interior. The façade, still unfinished, is clad in brick and lacks the stone cladding and semicircular niches that were originally planned. This plain exterior, however, only serves to heighten the impact of the church's richly decorated interior.

Step Inside

Upon entering San Pietro in Valle, visitors are greeted by an opulent display of gold, stuccoes, marbles, paintings, and woodwork. The decoration, dominated by the luminous combination of white and gold, accentuates the walls of the nave, creating a sense of divine light and splendor.

Above the entrance portal, an epitaph dedicated to Father Girolamo Gabrielli, placed there in 1679, honors his contributions. The upper part of the counter-facade features two frescoes by Antonio Viviani, separated by a window that illuminates the entire nave. These frescoes, titled Quo vadis and The Landing of Saint Paul in Malta, add to the church's rich artistic heritage.

The Vault and Dome

The entire vault of San Pietro in Valle is adorned with stuccoes by Pietro Solari and frescoes by Antonio Viviani, also known as Il Sordo. Solari completed the stuccowork in just eight months, while Viviani created frescoes depicting episodes from the lives of Saints Peter and Paul. These include The Meeting of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, The Crucifixion of Saint Peter, and Saint Peter in Glory.

The dome, erected by architect Girolamo Caccia in 1696, was later decorated by Lauro Buonaguardia from Bologna. The dome features four tondi depicting the four evangelists, sculpted angels in the niches of the drum, and terraces illuminated through openings with statues of apostles and blessed figures. The upper part of the dome showcases four angels and six cherubs flying through the clouds, with the interplay of white and gold creating an illusionistic effect, making the figures appear to protrude from the walls.

The Presbytery and Altarpieces

The presbytery once housed three significant paintings, which were unfortunately stolen during the Napoleonic plunders. These included Guido Reni's The Delivery of the Keys, Simone Cantarini's The Miracle of Saint Peter Healing the Lame, and Matteo Loves' Saint Peter Resurrecting Tabitha. Although the original works are now lost, a copy of Reni's painting by Carlo Magini remains, along with frescoes by Viviani depicting scenes from the life of Saint Peter.

The Side Chapels

San Pietro in Valle's six side chapels, three on each side of the nave, are dedicated to the noble families of Fano who contributed to the church's construction. These chapels feature a wealth of artistic and devotional elements, each reflecting the unique patronage of the families.

The Uffreducci Chapel, dedicated to Saint Philip Neri, showcases Luigi Garzi's painting The Madonna and Child Appearing to Saint Philip Neri and frescoes by Stefano Bagni from Siena. The Alavolini Chapel, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, features frescoes by Giovan Giacomo Pandolfi and a central altarpiece by Sebastiano Ceccarini, replacing a stolen work by Guercino.

The Marcolini Chapel, dedicated to the Nativity and the Crucifix, the Gabrielli Chapel, dedicated to the Annunciation, the Petrucci Chapel, dedicated to Saint Charles Borromeo, and another Marcolini Chapel, dedicated to Saint Paul, all contribute to the rich tapestry of faith and artistry within San Pietro in Valle.

San Pietro in Valle is not just a church; it is a living monument to the faith, art, and history of Fano. Its walls echo with the prayers and aspirations of generations, making it an unmissable destination for anyone exploring the cultural and spiritual heritage of this enchanting Italian city.