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The Church of San Cassiano in Configni: the surprise of seeing a Lombard altar in the heart of the Sabina
In Configni, the last municipality in the province of Rieti before reaching Umbria, the plain appearance of the façade can be misleading. The Church of San Cassiano is a true surprise. Its reputation is tied to an exceptionally rare Lombard altar, and a collection of medieval works that are unexpected in the heart of the Sabina. Step inside to understand why.
Treasures from the vanished Church of St Mary
The centrepiece is the base of the high altar. It is a Lombard work, decorated on all four faces — on one of which appears the famous Phoenix. But it is not the only survivor from the now vanished St Mary’s: there is also the massive holy water font, with its sculpted figures around the basin, and the support for the lectern.
Frescoes, paintings and a hidden statue
Restoration work brought to light the stonework and a fragment of a fresco painted between the 13th and 14th centuries. On the left wall is a Deposition with Saints from 1602. On the right, there are two works: a large 15th-century canvas depicting St Cassian and the Madonna with Angels, and beside it an Annunciation. Behind the altar, almost hidden from view, is the statue of the saint.
The lost Baroque face
It is difficult to imagine today, but before 1600 the Orsini princes had filled the church with marble and stucco work. A splendour entirely lost during subsequent alterations, which makes the current medieval and rustic look of the interior all the more striking.
For opening hours, please contact the parish directly.
