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Church of the Most Holy Annunciation in Norma: the parish church that has been reinventing itself for centuries
The Church of the Santissima Annunziata in Norma is the beating heart of the town, a place that tells the story of centuries of history and transformation. Founded in the 12th century as a simple rectangular structure, its current appearance is the result of continuous interventions commissioned by powerful families, such as the Caetani and Borghese. It is an essential stopping-off point when discovering Norma, above all for the work of painter Girolamo Siciolante.
A building site stretching across centuries
Its current form is largely the result of a major intervention in 1750, commissioned by Prince Camillo Borghese, when the presbytery and the sacristy were added. The bell tower that rises above the rooftops today only arrived in 1771, after several attempts and changes of position. It is a story of constant flux.
Inside the church, among saints and burials
Once inside, do not look for perfect symmetry. The chapels each tell a different story. Linger before the Chapel of St Barbara, the patron saint of the town: on the wall hangs her portrait — a 16th-century work by Girolamo Siciolante da Sermoneta — in which she is shown holding the village in her arms. Until 1835, the church also served as a cemetery, with distinct burial areas for priests, men, women and children, as well as sections reserved for certain private families.
The church is located in Piazza della Chiesa in Norma. For information and opening times, it is advisable to consult the website of the Municipality or the Diocese.
