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Church of St Mark in Caprarola: an elegant Vignola design overlooking the square
In Caprarola, in the heart of the Tuscia, the Church of San Marco is reached via a broad staircase, raised above the square below. Few people know that its current form is the result of a lowering of the street level carried out when the square was rearranged. The design, based on a 1569 drawing by the great architect Vignola, conceals a history far more complex than its simple and elegant façade might suggest.
A long-lasting building site and a dual identity
Although the commission dates back to 1569, it was two local masons who acquired the building contract, with the obligation to follow the master's design. The work continued for years. Completed before 1599, the church became the seat of the Confraternity of the Most Holy Trinity. In the village, however, everyone knew it simply as the Compagnia di San Marco, after the name of the building itself.
What to look for inside
The interior consists of a single nave, without the semicircular apse typical of many churches, and with the altar area — the presbytery — raised above floor level. The eye is drawn, however, to the altarpiece. The late 16th century painting housed there is the work of Brescian painter Giovanni Antonio Mussi, depicting the Most Holy Trinity with the Madonna, the Child and other sacred figures.
The church may not have fixed opening hours. It is advisable to check visiting possibilities with the tourist office in Caprarola or the local parish.
