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The Church of St Mary of the Annunciation in Paganico Sabino: frescoes uncovered beneath the whitewash
The Church of Santa Maria dell’Annunciazione, standing in the upper part of Paganico Sabino, in the province of Rieti, was on official records as early as 1398. By the 20th century, the building had fallen into a state of semi-abandonment, with a collapsed roof and interior furnishings completely lost. However, extensive restoration works carried out in 2001 using European funding brought an unexpected surprise to light.
The Master of Paganico and 60 square metres of rediscovered art
During the restoration process, conservator Rita Fagiolo discovered a cycle of frescoes dating to 1590 hidden beneath layers of lime wash. The cycle covers 60 square metres, covering the entire right wall of the church. It features figures of saints and ex-votos attributed to the "Master of Paganico", an anonymous painter whose style closely resembles that of Dionisio Cappelli from Amatrice. The Crucifixion at the far end of the nave is the best-preserved section, depicting Christ between Mary and John, angels catching His blood in chalices, and Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross with her blonde hair loose.
The ceiling and the rock-cut sacristy
A section of the nave retains a simple coffered ceiling dating back to the 17th-18th centuries. The sacristy is believed to have been forged from an ancient rock-cut cell (a hermit’s cave), representing the oldest part of the entire architectural complex, but further research is needed.
