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The Church of St Liberata in Ciciliano: disputed frescoes and an unexpected corner of Lebanon
The Church of Santa Liberata is located in Ciciliano, on a hill overlooking the valley. Its fame is bound to a cycle of 16th-century frescoes whose attribution remains hotly debated, and is a genuine puzzle for art historians. But its uniqueness does not end there. The church also tells an unexpected story that links it directly to Lebanon. This fact makes it unlike anything else in the surrounding area.
A Renaissance mystery
Upon entering, the eye is immediately drawn to the frescoes decorating the altar area, which was once an entire chapel. Commissioned by the Colonna family, their authorship is a puzzle. Scholarly hypotheses point to the school of Antoniazzo Romano, the Master of Tivoli, and even a young Cola dell'Amatrice. The debate is still very much alive, which only adds to the appeal of a visit.
From the altar to the cedars of Lebanon
The current building grew out of a late 17th-century expansion. On the altar itself stands a fine 18th-century marble frontal depicting the Martyrdom of St Lawrence. In 1884 the church was handed over to the Maronite Fathers for their use. It was they who, in the 1930s, planted in the garden the majestic cedars of Lebanon that still define it to this day.
The church is attached to a convent, and does not have fixed opening hours. For information about visiting, it is advisable to contact the Pro Loco of Ciciliano or the Municipality.
