Chiesa di San Rocco: A Testament to Pitigliano's Past

The Chiesa di San Rocco, or Santa Maria, stands as a significant historical and architectural landmark in Pitigliano. Historians believe it to be the oldest church in Pitigliano, with origins tracing back to the 12th and 13th centuries. The church was later rebuilt in the late 1400s under the commission of Count Niccolò III Orsini, with Giovanni da Traù, also known as the Dalmatian, as the architect, resulting in a blend of architectural styles. The exterior of the church features a late-Renaissance facade adorned with four Corinthian pilasters and a white marble portal. The left side of the church retains an architrave from the original medieval structure. Inside, the church has a trapezoidal shape with three naves divided by Ionic columns. Visitors can admire faded coats of arms belonging to families who governed Pitigliano, including the Medici family. The apse displays paintings depicting the Assumption of the Madonna among the Apostles. Once the most important church in Pitigliano, the Chiesa di San Rocco lost prominence after the town's cathedral was completed. However, its charm lies in its marble exterior and frescoes, offering a glimpse into Pitigliano's rich religious and artistic heritage.